At least 18 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks across multiple communities in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday.
The attacks took place in Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe.
The victims, who sustained severe machete injuries, have sparked widespread fear and outrage among local residents.
A former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission and a native of Orsu, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, drew attention to the tragedy through a post on his X account on Monday.
The killings are believed to have occurred after the annual masquerade festival celebrated in Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and surrounding areas.
After the festivities, some locals, including holiday returnees, gathered at a drinking spot. Later, passers-by discovered nine people—both customers and attendants—lying lifeless in pools of blood, each with machete wounds.
A source, who requested to remain anonymous, shared details of the grim discovery, “Everybody in the joint, all nine people were discovered dead, either customers or attendants, they had been butchered with deep machete cuts all over.”
The source expressed surprise at the lack of noise or disturbance, “We were just a few blocks away from there and nobody heard any sound of gunshot or argument. We suspect that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network were behind this.”
Additionally, the source reported the discovery of more bodies,“Three corpses were discovered in Umukabia, consisting of family members, five corpses in Eziawa village, and another five in Ihitte Nasa, all with machete cuts on the same day.”
“We can’t explain how these incidents happened and nobody noticed. Three people in Umukabia, five in Ezinwa, and another five in Ihitte Nasa villages, and nobody saw the killers come in or leave. Orsu lost 18 promising lives in one day.”
The source further speculated that the killings might have been carried out with the involvement of local Orsu boys, who are believed to be members of IPOB and ESN.
Orsu has long been under the influence of IPOB and ESN militants, forcing many residents to flee until recent military operations allowed some people to return and resettle.
The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killings and stated that investigations are ongoing.
“The police are aware of the killings and already CP Aboki Danjuma has set up a high-powered security team involving different security agencies to unravel the case. The CP appeals to people to remain calm,” Okoye said.
An anonymous police source suggested that the attackers’ goal was to instil fear and once again drive residents from the affected communities.
