Palpable tension has engulfed the Otulu Community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State following the alleged massacre of seven youths said to be guests at a wedding ceremony.
Our correspondent gathered that the natives staged a protest rally on Monday after gunmen suspected to be operatives of Ebubeagu Security outfit allegedly opened fire and killed the seven wedding guests.
The incident reportedly happened on Sunday, July 17.
The victims were going back to their community in Otulu in Oru West Local Government Area of the state from Awomama in the neighbouring Oru East LGA when the operatives opened fire on them.
The President-General of Otulu Community, Nnamdi Agbor, confirmed the death of the seven persons.
A visibly-livid Agbor described the incident as a tragedy of unprecedented proportion.
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He said; “Our people were coming back from Awo Omamma around 7:00pm after a traditional wedding.
“Ebube Agu operatives saw them on motorcycles and opened fire on them. As I speak to you, we have recovered seven dead bodies who are our people.
“Five are missing. Two are critically injured and hospitalized while the other person who sustained minor injury had been discharged.
“This is very unfortunate. Our people are angry. They are protesting. There was no cause for the killing. They were just riding home when the Ebubeagu Security outfit opened fire on them.
“This has never happened before. “We have reported the incident to the security agents. The commissioner of police and the commander of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze have visited.
“The DPO is also assisting. I have reported the killing to the member representing us at the parliament in Imo state.
“The celebrant is Chijioke Nnanna. Those arrested are Uchenna Orjiribeka, Chido Ekesinachi and Nnamdi Ekesinachi. Those in the hospital are Oluebube Agbor and ThankGod Iheukwumere. Those who were killed are, Chigozie Obinwa, Ozioma, Chikere Anyadioha, Ifechi Ekesinachi Emeka Ekesinachi, Aboy Ihegboro and Chijindu. Five persons are still missing.”
The police spokesperson in the state, CSP Michael Abattam, confirmed the incident and disclosed that investigation had begun.
