Panic gripped residents of Orlu town, in Imo State, following the killings of seven northern traders, by unknown thugs.
Obinwannem News confirmed that the victims were murderd in separate shooting incidents in Orlu town, and Umuaka in Njaba local government area; between Friday and Saturday.
Confirming the incident, Harisu Umaru Ishiaku said, that the thugs wore military uniforms, stormed Afor-Umuaka market around 8:30pm, and attacked the victims.
Four victims had lived in the area for many years, and were said to be between the ages of 30 years and 45 years.
Moreover, the coordinator of Hausa traders in Imo state, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said the first incident happened on Friday when “three ‘suya’ sellers were about to close for the day; some gunmen in a Sienna car emerged suddenly, and shot them”.
Similarly, the same set of gunmen were said to have attacked four Hausa traders at Umuaka in Njaba. Abdul Kadir said Hausa traders in Orlu, now live in fear; adding that some had relocated to Owerri, the State capital.
He said, ” It started on the second of this month. I was called that three people had been killed by some men operating in a sienna car, they were suya sellers.
“Just as we were about to handle the situation, I was called again that the same people killed four people.
The corpses of the victims had been taken to Owerri in preparation for burial.
Reacting to the incident, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Imo State on Gender Vulnerable Groups, Northern Affairs ( Men) Hon. Sulaiman Ibrahim said the State government and all the units of security agents have waded into the matter.
While soliciting for peace to reign, he said governor Hope Uzodinma was disturbed by the incident.
In his words: “We have just finished a meeting with government officials and Head security agencies in the State. They’ve waded into the matter to ensure that peace reigns.
“We cannot continue like this, we must nip this in the bud, for the peace and security of our country,” he added.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
