A coordinated security operation is underway in Imo State as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to apprehend armed criminals responsible for a violent highway ambush that claimed lives and destroyed property on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
The incident, which occurred along the Okigwe–Owerri expressway near Umunna in Onuimo Local Government Area, saw three separate gangs of gunmen barricade the road, unleashing gunfire and setting vehicles ablaze in a calculated onslaught that left commuters traumatized.
Responding swiftly, the Imo State Police Command, backed by the military and the Department of State Services (DSS), deployed a tactical response team led by Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma. The team arrived the scene promptly to secure the area, assist affected travellers, and commence an intensive manhunt.
According to Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the search operation spans forested zones and nearby communities, as security operatives tighten the dragnet around suspects believed to have fled into the bush.
Describing the assault as an act of domestic terrorism, the command condemned the violence and reiterated its resolve to dismantle criminal networks threatening public safety. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.
Authorities say the current operation will persist until all those involved are captured and prosecuted, reaffirming their dedication to safeguarding Imo’s highways and restoring public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
