Suspected herdsmen on Monday, killed a vigilante operative and another man in the Umunjo community in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and sent additional security operatives to Owerri West and Oguta Local Government Areas amid recent security concerns, including reported kidnapping cases and other criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, also condemned the killings and instructed relevant units to step up efforts to identify and arrest those responsible. ↻
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, made this known in a statement released to journalists on Monday night.
Okoye stated that the deployment followed “the attack and killing of two young persons in Irete today, September 14, 2026, by suspected armed bandits.”
Footage shared on social media showed the bodies of the two men lying a few meters apart in pools of blood.
Eyewitnesses in the community said the slain vigilante operative had accompanied the unidentified man to the area to look at a property before the attack occurred.
A community source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the attackers seemed to be herdsmen.
He said, “Herdsmen have attacked the Irete community again, and this is getting too much. These people came to inspect a property before the incident. Our community is safe, but these herdsmen want to make it a threat.
“One is a vigilante operative from his dressing, but we are yet to confirm the identity of the man he escorted to this place.”
According to residents, Irete has lately seen attacks aimed at people looking to buy property and at real estate agents.
The community source claimed that roughly four individuals had died in separate incidents after being attacked while viewing properties in the Irete area.
In the meantime, some residents are said to have left the Umunjo community, fearing more attacks or possible questioning by security operatives.
Residents called on security agencies to bring normalcy back to the area and to catch the attackers who fled.
In his statement, Okoye stated that the police commissioner had ordered “the immediate deployment of enhanced security operations to Owerri West and Oguta Local Government Areas following recent security concerns, including pockets of kidnapping and other criminal activities.”
He noted that the deployment covered Ejemekuru, Ogbakwu, Izombe, Irete, Umuguma, Okuku, Ndegwu, Amakohia-Ubi, and adjoining communities.
According to Okoye, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit had been deployed with available operational assets and would work with community vigilantes to intensify intelligence-led operations and apprehend criminal elements.
“The action follows the attack and killing of two young persons in Irete today, 14 September 2026, by suspected armed bandits. CP Bosso has condemned the incident and directed the relevant units to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner charged the deployed personnel to remain vigilant, proactive, and professional, stressing that the command will not allow criminal elements to establish a foothold in any part of the state.
“The operatives have also been directed to work closely with community vigilantes and other relevant stakeholders,” Okoye said.
Bosso gave residents of Owerri West, Oguta, and nearby communities his word that the police command would stay dedicated to safeguarding lives and property and would apply every lawful measure required to curb criminal activities in the areas concerned. ↻
The command equally called on members of the public to stay alert to security matters and to quickly report any suspicious individuals, movements, or activities to the police or the closest security formation.
“Security is everybody’s business, and timely, credible information remains essential to preventing crime and apprehending offenders,” the statement added.
