8 Killed In Fresh Attack As 100 Northerners Flee Imo State

Northerners in Imo State are now leaving in fear as unknown gunmen killed eight and injured six others in a fresh attack in the state.

Naija News recalls that this is coming after attacks on the Imo police headquarters and correctional centre where over 1800 inmates were released into the public.

According to BBC Hausa, the recent killings and attackers in the southeast state has forced many northerners to return to the North.

Alhaji Iliyasu Sulaiman, told BBC Hausa that his younger brother was shot dead and that three other northerners were injured in Olu town.

“We buried eight people and six others are receiving treatment in the hospital.

“We don’t know the cause as we did not engage in any fight with anybody but they are killing our people anyhow. My younger brother was just sitting with his three friends and they shot at them, killed him and injured the other three,” he said.

He said the killings by unknown gunmen had forced over 100 people to return to their states of origins within the last two weeks.

“So far, I know about 60 people that went back to Sokoto, more than 20 others also from Kano and Katsina have gone back and some are preparing to go too,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Sani Ahmad Mai Rago said the deployment of security personnel to the Hausa community in Owerri was not enough as only 30 per cent of them were secured in the area.

“There is a need to provide adequate security everywhere if really they want to address the problem. Honestly speaking, we are living in fear. As I’m talking to you now, I didn’t go anywhere today,” he added.

Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has asked northerners not to leave the state, assuring them that the state of the government is determined to protect them and their property.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender and Vulnerable Persons (Men) and the Garkuwan Hausa (shield of Hausa community), Imo State, Hon. Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman, described as untrue reports that the Hausa are leaving the state.

He described Imo State as the safest place for them to live.