At least seven security operatives were murdered on Tuesday when unknown gunmen laid ambush at Umualumaku settlement in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
This was even as the gunmen razed down two Hilux conveying the security operatives to their duty post.
The incident occured at exactly 12p.m as the security operatives made up of Joint Tasforce were getting ready to mount check point in the area.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity noted that the deceased officers included men from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The source said that sporadic gunshots filtered the air when gunmen attacked the deceased, but he could not ascertain the real crisis until somebody alerted him that soldiers and policemen were killed and burnt in two Hilux vehicles.
He noted that the incident triggered tension in the area as the residents ran helter-skelter for safety, while the commercial vehicles plying the road made U-turn for fear of reprisal attack.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident.
He pleaded for more time to be acquainted with the full details of the incident.
News Flash