In the early hours of Wednesday, unidentified gunmen launched a violent assault on the Obowo Police Division in Imo State’s Obowo Local Government Area, killing several officers and destroying key facilities.
This marks another attack on law enforcement in the region, which has been facing escalating security challenges in recent times.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the police division and opened fire indiscriminately.
The gunmen not only targeted the officers on duty but also set part of the station ablaze, causing significant damage to the facility.
The attackers appeared well-coordinated, suggesting prior planning and knowledge of the station’s layout.
Local residents noted a chilling similarity between the latest incident and a previous attack on March 19, 2022, when gunmen assaulted another station, Umuguma Police Division, resulting in the deaths of two officers.
The recent attack on Obowo is part of a string of coordinated assaults in the state, targeting security establishments and public offices.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, linked the same group to both attacks. “It seems to be a coordinated effort by the same assailants. They come heavily armed, strike quickly, and disappear without a trace,” he remarked.
In a related incident, suspected gunmen attacked the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area secretariat. The attackers reportedly set fire to several vehicles and office buildings, wreaking havoc in the council premises.
During a confrontation with local vigilante members, two vigilantes were reportedly killed in a gunfight, highlighting the growing boldness of these attackers in targeting not just police but also community security personnel.
Eyewitness reports from Obowo paint a troubling picture of the security situation. A resident disclosed that despite the proximity of military presence and three police formations within the area, no security operatives responded during the 30-minute attack.
“We have a military base and three police divisions, including the area command, Ishinweke Police Division, and Obowo Police Division. Yet, none of them came to our rescue,” the witness said, expressing concern over the state of security coordination in the area.
According to him, military personnel arrived nearly 90 minutes after the gunmen had left the scene.
A police officer, speaking anonymously, disclosed that some officers who survived the attack have been confined to the barracks and placed under detention.
However, the officer admitted to not knowing the reasons behind their confinement or what they were being interrogated for, raising speculation about internal concerns over security lapses.
Chief Superintendent of Police Mike Abatam, the Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Police Command, confirmed the incident and acknowledged the casualties.
He assured that tactical teams had been dispatched to track down and apprehend the attackers. “We are working tirelessly to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice,” Abatam stated, without disclosing further details on the investigation.
The attack on Obowo Police Division comes amid heightened tensions in Imo State, where security forces have faced repeated assaults from armed groups.
The state’s police stations, council offices, and community security outfits have been the primary targets of these attacks, raising fears among residents and challenging the authority of law enforcement.
Community members and observers have expressed concerns about the safety of security installations and the apparent inability to preempt such attacks despite visible military and police presence. As the state grapples with these issues, calls for more robust intelligence gathering and proactive security measures have grown louder.
With the recent incident, Imo State authorities face renewed pressure to address the worsening security situation and restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies.