8th January 2025
No fewer than 18 people were killed in coordinated attacks across several communities in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday.
The killings occurred in Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe.
Victims were left with deep machete wounds, sparking fear and outrage among locals.
A former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, who hails from Orsu, brought attention to the development via his X account on Monday.
PUNCH Online gathered that the tragedy followed the annual masquerade festival celebrated in Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and neighbouring communities.
After the festivities, some locals, including holiday returnees, gathered at a drinking joint.
Passers-by later discovered all nine people in the joint, including customers and attendants, lying in pools of blood with machete wounds.
A source who pleaded anonymity, said, “Everybody in the joint, all nine people were discovered dead, either customers or attendants, they had been butchered with deep machete cuts all over.
“We were just a few blocks away from there and nobody heard any sound of gunshot or argumenr. We suspect that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network that were behind this.”
He added that three corpses were discovered in Umukabia, consisting of family members, five corpses in Eziawa village, and another five corpses in Ihitte Nasa, all with machete cuts on the same day.
“I can’t explain how these incidents happened and nobody noticed. Three people in Umukabia, five in Ezinwa, and another five in Ihitte Nasa villages and nobody saw the killers come in nor when leaving. Orsu lost 18 promising lives in one day.
“We suspect that these killings were done with inside collaboration with Orsu boys who are members of IPOB and ESN members that we don’t know,” the source said.
Orsu has endured years of IPOB and ESN dominance, which had driven residents away until recent military operations reclaimed parts of the area, allowing gradual resettlement.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killings and said investigations are underway.
Okoye said, “The police is aware of the killings and already CP Aboki Danjuma has set up a high-powered security team involving the different security agencies to unravel the case. The CP appeals to people to remain calm.”
A police source, speaking anonymously, suggested the attackers aimed to instil fear and drive residents out of the communities again.