Gunmen open fire on Toyota Highlander, kill driver in fresh attack on Imo community

A privately-owned Toyota Highlander driver was shot dead on Sunday when gunmen opened fire on motorists in Amala, a community in the Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Monday. According to him, the assailants ambushed road users, leading to the fatal shooting of the SUV driver before fleeing the scene.

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the gunmen, at about 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, emerged from a nearby bush and shot the driver of the SUV before abducting “all occupants” of a separate Lexus SUV.

“On receiving the information, officers from Ngor-Okpala Division swiftly mobilised to the scene, secured the area, and evacuated the victim to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” he said.

The police spokesperson did not mention the number of people abducted by the gunmen during the attack.

Mr Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has launched a manhunt for the attackers.

The spokesperson said the police and other security agencies as well as vigilante operatives were conducting the operation to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.

“Joint security operatives have commenced: Bush-combing, search-and-rescue and suspect-tracking within the Amala forest axis and surrounding communities,” he stated.

He urged residents to remain calm and endeavour to assist the security agencies with “information” that can assist ongoing operation.