By Chris Njoku, Owerri and Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

• DSS parades ESN informant 

• Youths protest killing of seven

• MASSOB seeks disbandment of Ebubeagu

Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma said yesterday that the seven persons killed at Awomama early this week, earlier reported to be wedding guests, were actually bandits.

His chief press secretary, Oguike Nwachuku, said the governor’s clarification was based on an interim report  by the Director of State Services (DSS) on the incident.

Nwachuku said the report was made available to members of the Security Council.

Meanwhile, social and economic activities have been paralysed in Awo-Omama in Oru East council of the state following a protest by youths over the killings.

Youths and women blocked Owerri-Onitsha Road, mourning the killing of  some persons returning from a traditional wedding.

There was also a protest in Enugu over the killings.

The Awomam incident  was earlier blamed on the Ebubeagu, a regional security outfit.

The protesters carrying  placards with different inscriptions said that peace will return to the state if Government disbands Ebubeagu, whose members were reported to have shot the presumed wedding guests.

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Interestingly, the Department of State Service (DSS)   said those killed were members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While parading a suspect, Chinonso Mmerem, at the DSS headquarters, Owerri, the Director, Idaminabo Wilcox, said the suspect led a joint security operation to Awo-Omama camp of ESN/IPOB on Sunday.

“Following the arrest of Chinoso Mmerem (aka Network), a member of IPOB’s militant wing ESN, a sting operation was conducted by a joint security team on 17th July, 2022 to arrest.members of the criminal gang terrorosing Awo Omama and other parts of the state.

“In the course of the operation, the elements opened fire on the security forces which was consequently repelled with  superior firepower leading to the neutralisation of about seven members of the group in the hideout used as their camp.

“Meanwhile, the elements were gathered at the location planning for the armed enforcement of the illegal Monday sit-at-home order in Awo-Omamma and other parts of the state which informed the operation to neutralise their plan.

“At this juncture, it is pertinent to inform that the elements gathered to plan their nefarious operations and not attending a traditional marriage as being speculated by members of the outlawed group.

“Mmerem, answering questioning from newsmen, confessed that the victims killed on Sunday were members of ESN killed at their camp.

“I am Chinonso Mmerem, I led the DSS to the ESN camp at Awomama. I was caught a week ago by the security agents.

“Some of the members were shot, including “One man” squad who is our leader at Awomama, although he did not die; he escaped with bullet wounds but his phone was retrieved by the DSS.”

Governor Uzodimma said that government will not be deterred in its quest to protect the life and property of Imo citizens.

Uzodimma said the DSS Director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a Camp at Awomma  with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place.

The  Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has called on Governor Uzodimma to disband the Ebubeagu security outfit in the state.

The group said this call becomes necessary following what it called,”the insensitive and atrocious murder of innocent and defenceless youths from Otulu town returning from traditional marriage by Ebubeagu security outfit.