Gunmen on Monday afternoon killed a military officer when they attacked some soldiers in Awo Mmamma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
In reprisal, troops of the Nigerian Army regrouped, stormed the town and burnt down a hotel alleged used as base by the gunmen, other houses, cars and shops.
Sources confirmed that the killing of the soldier took place at the popular Ishieke Junction in the area. The killing and the military reinforcement caused panic in the Awo Mmamma community with many indigenes fleeing as soldiers took over the community.
According to a source, “some hoodlums attacked some soldiers at Ishieke junction in Awo Mmamma and killed one of them. They zoomed off towards Ihiala in Anambra State. Later soldiers invaded the area and caused havoc by setting a hotel, cars, houses and market stalls on fire.”
Neither the Police Spokesperson in Imo State, Micheal Abattam, nor the Spokesperson for the 34 Artillery Brigade Command, Owerri, Captain Sunday Akuga, answered several calls put to their mobile numbers.