No fewer than 18 people were slain in coordinated attacks across multiple towns 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 serious machete wounds, causing fear and fury among neighbours.
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission from Orsu, announced the incident on Monday via his X account.
According to the report, the incident occurred following the yearly masquerade event held in Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and surrounding areas.
Following the festivities, some locals, including holiday returnees, congregated at a drinking establishment.
Passers-by later discovered all nine persons in the establishment, including customers and employees, 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 argument. We suspect that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network were behind this.”
He went on to say that three corpses, including family members, were discovered in Umukabia, 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 suffered years of IPOB and ESN dominance, driving locals away until recent military operations recaptured parts of the area, enabling gradual resettlement.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye confirmed the killings and stated that investigations are underway.
Okoye said, “The police are 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, claimed the attackers sought to instill terror and drive inhabitants out of the villages again.
