Seven people were reportedly shot dead by gunmen in Orogwe community in the Owerri Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident which occurred on Monday was said to have created panic in the community.
According to PUNCH, community sources said that some other residents were rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for treatment.
The sources said trouble started after operatives, suspected to be members of the Ebubeagu security outfit, came to the village and apprehended a youth.
Some gunmen, in retaliation, stormed the community and began a shooting spree.
A source said, “ Ebubeagu people came and took away a youth from the community. On Monday night, some men with guns came to the community, stormed a building and opened fire. Seven persons died, while others wounded were rushed to the FMC, Owerri.
“An Okada man, who was driving through, was caught in the gunfire. He was rushed to the FMC emergency unit where medical personnel are battling to save his life and others. This is unfortunate. The community is in panic; people are running away.”
The aforementioned publication reported that a source at the hospital said that the emergency unit of the hospital was filled with friends, relatives and well wishers of the victims.
“The emergency unit is hot. The unit is rowdy. Six dead bodies are here, while others that are critically injured are being attended to by medical personnel,” he added.
Another community source said that Orogwe community was deserted on Tuesday as Ebubeagu operatives allegedly invaded the community and arrested some youths.
The state police spokesperson, Michael Abattam, could not be reached to comment on the incident as at the time of filing this report.