Tension as gunmen attack and killed eight combined security operatives and set two of their vehicles ablaze in Imo State.

It was gathered that the horrible incident occurred at about 11:30 am today in Oriagu, around the Aba branch in Ehime Mbano council area of the state.

An eyewitness who do not want his name mentioned said he saw the security agents a few minutes before they were set ablaze.

He said: “The incident just happened about 2 hours ago. At first, I saw the two Hilux vehicles as the drove from Oriagu heading to the Aba branch in Ehime Mbano. As I am talking to you now the Hilux vehicles are still on fire. The soldiers were burnt by the gunmen.

“Tension is everywhere. We have closed our shops. We are going home. We are seeing a lot of security operatives. They blocked the road. People are running to our homes. Our people are afraid anything can happen now.

“The first security, I saw over five soldiers. In the second security vehicle, I saw more than four of the security people. They said all of them were killed.”

The spokesperson for the police in Imo, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development.