A police station has been burnt down at Arondizuogu in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State.
Micheal Abattam, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed this, saying it happened in the wee hours of Tuesday.
An officer was also said to have been killed in the incident.
Abattam said the state state commissioner of police, Rabiu Hussaini, had ordered investigation into the attack.
The attack happened hours after aggrieved youths clashed with soldiers in Awomama area of Imo.
At least one hotel, seven shops and a vehicle were razed in Monday’s incident, which the Nigerian Army has blamed on the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB and its militant arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Abubakar Abdullahi, said soldiers attached to Operation Golden Dawn dispersed the insurgent group when they attacked their troop.
“Troops disperse rampaging RAMPAGING IPOB/ESN hoodlums carrying out arson in Awomama,’said, “Troops conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN have dispersed IPOB/ESN hoodlums carrying out arson while enforcing the illegitimate Sit-at-Home order imposed by the proscribed group at AWO-MMAMMA Community, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State on 22 November 2021. In the quest to compel citizens to comply with the unlawful order, IPOB/ESN criminals indulged in harassment, intimidation and physical abuse of commuters going about their lawful businesses.”
“The criminals went further to carry out arson and destruction of businesses and homes at Ishieke junction (along Owerri-Onitsha express way) as a vendetta against the citizens for not complying with the illegal order.
“The hoodlums who had earlier blocked the highway, set ablaze a commercial vehicle heading towards Onitsha. Vigilant troops responding to distress calls by motorists and shop owners swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a firefight. The troops overwhelmed the hoodlums forcing them to scamper in different directions.
“The troops pursued the hoodlums to their hideout in Akatta Community in Oru East LGA, where a member of the group was neutralized in the shootout. While the troops engaged the hoodlums in their hideout, other members of the group who alleged that some individuals had volunteered information to the troops mustered at Ishieke junction and set ablaze houses and businesses of law abiding citizens.
“The troops again returned to the junction to disperse the hoodlums.
“Unfortunately, a galant soldier paid the supreme prize in defence of the people.”
Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustration
