Unsettling Incidents: Violence and Unrest on Major Highways in Imo State
An Unfortunate Chain of Events
Armed Men Seize 18-Passenger Bus, Resulting in Driver's Fatal Shooting in Imo
On Tuesday, May 6, chaos erupted along the Aba-Owerri road in Imo State, as gunmen—suspected to be herdsmen—opened fire on a truck, leaving one driver dead and seizing an 18-seater bus. This disturbance followed hot on the heels of a separate incident the previous day on the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway, where suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) set ablaze more than 20 vehicles, putting travelers in despair [1][2].
The Incident on the Aba-Owerri Road
Ugo Okere, an eyewitness to the tragic event, recalled the scene vividly. The attackers, hidden within the bushes, suddenly appeared and started shooting sporadically, causing drivers to screech to a halt. One driver, unfortunately, was shot dead, prompting the other drivers to stop abruptly. Then, the gunmen commandeered the 18-seater bus and forced its passengers to accompany them, all while continuing their relentless shooting [3].
The Aftermath and Response
Confirming the incident, the state's Command Spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, affirmed that the police force had launched a manhunt to capture the fleeing gunmen and rescue the kidnapped passengers [3]. However, there seems to be no specific update on the whereabouts of these kidnapped individuals at the time of writing.
The Incident on the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway
Just a day later, on May 8, 2025, a group believed to be connected to IPOB or ESN caused havoc on the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway. They attacked travelers in three separate groups, shooting indiscriminately, setting vehicles on fire, and causing a significant disruption in traffic. Tragically, this incident also reportedly resulted in human casualties [1][2].
Ongoing Response and Advice for Residents
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, swiftly led a joint tactical team of the police, army, DSS, and other security agencies to the scene of the Okigwe incident. They provided immediate support to the victims and launched a comprehensive operation to capture the culprits. The Commissioner has vowed to continue the operation until all suspects are arrested and brought to justice [1].
While the joint security forces work to restore peace, CP Aboki Danjuma encourages residents to remain calm, adhere to the law, and stay vigilant. He also urges citizens to collaborate with security agencies by sharing credible and timely information to facilitate ongoing operations [1].
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- As the incidents of banditry and violence continue to escalate on major highways in Naija, particularly in Imo State, residents are urged to stay updated on the latest developments in crime-and-justice and security updates to ensure their safety and cooperate with the security agencies in the ongoing fight against these menaces.
