Some gunmen yesterday clashed with soldiers of 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Owerri, Imo State.
The Brigade’s spokesman, Capt. Joseph Akubo, said the gunmen attacked its personnel who were on patrol at Izombe community, Oguta council area.
Akubo said the incident happened after the soldiers were drafted to the oil-rich community to contain youth restiveness and other crimes in the area.
He said some unidentified persons on Saturday killed a truck driver, prompting increased patrol by the soldiers.
“The soldiers were on routine patrol in the area when they came under attack by armed youths.
”Two days ago, a truck driver was killed; coupled with other criminal activities which necessitated increased patrol.
“The soldiers were on normal patrol when they came under attack,” he said, but did not give any casualty figure.
“I cannot tell you the casualty figure because the armed youths are still attacking our men who are taking cover in the buildings in the neighbourhood”, he said.
A resident of the area, who chose not to be named, described the incident as an “invasion.”