From Harry Awurumibe in Awka, Anambra
The peace of the residents of Anara Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano of Imo state was disturbed Tuesday as three people were killed by a yet to be identified gunmen while many were injured in the stampede that ensued during the mayhem.
Although no official statements have been issued by both the Isiala Mbano Divisional Police Headquarters and Imo State Police Command, residents said the incident happened around 10 pm on Tuesday.
According to a panic-stricken resident who pleaded anonymity, the gunmen invaded the Anara Daily market and a major motor park in a white Sienna bus and opened fire on the people at sight without any reason.
At the end of the operation, three people whose identities are not immediately known were shot dead while many others were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attack.
“The gunmen came to Anara station in a white Sienna vehicle. When they arrived at the market, they just opened fire and shot dead three people and several others were wounded from the gunshots, the three people died immediately,” a witness narrated.
Another witness who has a provision store in Anara said: “No one knows why they attacked Anara market. They just arrived and started shooting sporadically at the people without provocation hence people scampered for safety, some people fell on top of each other”.
Prompt News correspondent had earlier on Tuesday stopped over at Anara on the way to Okohia town in Isiala Mbano, on his way to Owerri hours before the gunmen invaded the area.
It was gathered from a resident whose house is close to the ever-busy Anara station that the noise of guns disturbed the peace of the community as many people could not sleep throughout the night.
Many lives have been lost to these attacks while properties, owned by the government and private individuals, have also been destroyed by the assailants in the South East geopolitical zone.
The zone has been under attack by gunmen, a situation that has heightened the insecurity in the region.
