Unknown gunmen have returned to Umuchima village in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, where they killed a male indigene allegedly accused of providing information to the Nigerian Army about the gunmen’s activities in the community.
The killing follows a military operation on Tuesday, in which the Nigerian Army announced the destruction of a camp used by the suspected gunmen in Umuchima. The operation was part of the ongoing Joint Task Force, South East Operation, codenamed Operation Udo Ka.
The death of the alleged informant has sparked fear among the village’s residents, leading many to flee their homes. Seeking safety, the displaced villagers have relocated to nearby communities, promising to return once the situation calms down. Some of the evacuees carried only essential belongings, unwilling to become victims in the ongoing violence.
One villager, speaking to our correspondent, said, “The fear is real. They just stormed the village in a commando-like style and killed a native who they accused of being an informant.”
The clash between the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade, Ohafia, and the gunmen occurred early this morning in Umuchima. Reports indicate that more than 15 Hilux vehicles and armored personnel carriers arrived at the village around 6 a.m. in a targeted operation against the suspected gunmen. It is believed the gunmen were camped near a river marking the boundary between Abia and Mbaise in Imo State.
The Abia State Government, alongside security agencies, has vowed to root out the gunmen who have been terrorizing the region. Since their campaign of violence began, several security personnel have been killed in clashes with the gunmen.
As tensions continue to rise in the area, the fate of the villagers who have fled remains uncertain, with many hoping for a swift resolution to the violence that has gripped their community.
