A brutal attack on the Okigwe-Owerri highway in Imo State has left Nigeria reeling, with reported fatalities ranging from 15 to 30. Gunmen barricaded the Okwelle axis of the road, opening fire on commuters and setting ablaze over 20 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror. One survivor recounted narrowly escaping death when the motorcyclist transporting him was fatally shot.
The Imo State Police have attributed the attack to suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to police spokesperson Henry Okoye, security forces engaged the assailants, killing one suspect and recovering a stolen vehicle and an HP laptop.
Amnesty International, however, reported a higher death toll of at least 30 and condemned the attack as a “vicious” assault on innocent travelers. The rights group urged the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The attack underscores the escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s southeast, where separatist sentiments have fueled violence.
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu remains in custody in Nigeria, facing charges of terrorism and treason, while Finnish authorities are in discussions with Nigeria regarding Simon Ekpa, another prominent figure associated with the group.
As security forces continue their manhunt for the remaining assailants, the incident has heightened tensions and raised concerns about the safety of commuters in the region.
