Palpable fear gripped residents of Umudibia in Umualuaku community, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State on Wednesday morning, as gunmen surrounded the area, shooting sporadically.

The incident which reportedly began around 5:30 am, left the community in fear, with residents trapped in their homes, though no casualty had been recorded at the time of this report.

A source from the community alleged that unknown gunmen had attacked an armoured vehicle and destroyed it, which purportedly led to the shootings.

Spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident, alleged that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), were responsible for the early morning attack.

He, however, assured that joint security forces had been mobilised to contain the threat.

He said: “We are fully aware of the situation; around 9:34 a.m. the Command, in synergy with the military and the Department of State Services (DSS), has taken proactive steps to nip the security threats in the bud.

“Tactical units have been deployed to apprehend the suspected IPOB/ESN members behind the senseless attacks aimed at instilling fear in the public.” (Daily Sun)