By Karen James
Osina, a community in Ideato North Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, was thrown into chaos early Friday following an attack by unidentified gunmen that reportedly left five people dead.
A widely circulated video on social media captured the aftermath of the attack, with a voice narrating, “Five people have been shot dead in Osina just now. It is happening live at Osina, Ideato North LGA. Unknown gunmen stormed here and shot five people dead. The incident has crippled economic activities. People have run to neighbouring villages for fear of being killed.”
The attack, which has sparked widespread panic, has forced many residents to flee the community, disrupting daily life and economic activities.
Efforts to confirm the incident were met with limited information. Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, stated that he had not been briefed on the situation when contacted for comment.
This tragedy adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Imo State, which has witnessed a wave of attacks in recent months. On November 27, suspected gunmen abducted Fabian Ihekweme, a former commissioner for foreign affairs in the state. On October 9, another attack in Ehime-Mbano LGA reportedly resulted in the deaths of several soldiers at an army camp. Earlier, on August 3, gunmen allegedly killed 10 people in the Umuchoke Okwe community, Onuimo LGA.
Residents of Imo State have expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of attacks, with many feeling unsafe and uncertain about the future. Calls for heightened security measures and a proactive response from authorities continue to mount.
As the community mourns the loss of lives, the incident highlights the urgent need for solutions to curb the escalating violence plaguing the state.
