By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least eight security operatives have been ambushed and killed in Imo State, South-East Nigeria, after an attack by unidentified gunmen.
The joint security taskforce team who were in two security trucks were ambushed and set ablaze by their attackers. They comprise soldiers, policemen and officials of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state where the incident took place on Tuesday has been gripped in fear and panic.
None of the victims escaped as their operational vehicles went up in flames.
Security sources said a reinforcement teams had been sent to the scene of the crime with the intent to arrest the suspects and rescue the corpses of the slain security operatives.
Locals said they saw the security agents a few minutes before they were set ablaze.
They said the community has been thrown into confusion, owing to the development.
A video clip of the attack where the security agents were set ablaze in the two vehicles has gone viral.
Nigeria’s South East region has been a hotbed of insecurity with Imo state, where election is coming up in November being the worst hit.
Members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been repeatedly accused of launching attacks on security officers and stealing their weapons.
