The Local Government Area of Ehime-Mbano in Imo State has once again become the epicentre of brutal violence, as residents of Arondizuogu and Umualumaku grapple with fresh attacks that have left multiple people dead, homes destroyed, and entire families displaced, said the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).
On July 25, 2025, a sudden eruption of violence claimed numerous lives—including women, youths, and men—in the community of Arondizuogu. Witnesses described the attacks as cold-blooded executions, carried out by unidentified gunmen believed to be part of organised criminal gangs.
The community, which has endured persistent assaults over the past year, remains in a state of terror as security agencies struggle to respond effectively. Locals say law enforcement presence is nearly nonexistent, and the attackers operate with impunity.
In a related development, Lagos-based technician Mr. Anayo Vigilus Njoku has accused military personnel of looting and setting fire to his residence in Umualumaku on July 23.
He claims both his ancestral home and a newly built property were razed, and valuables were stolen. His family members, he says, were driven out at gunpoint. The violent raid has reportedly left his family homeless and destroyed decades of savings. There is no active police station in the vicinity, leaving Mr. Njoku and other victims without access to formal justice or protection.
In response, civil society organisations led by RULAAC (Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre) have issued a passionate appeal to federal and state authorities. The call includes: A full-scale investigation by Imo State Government, Accountability from the Nigerian Army for alleged misconduct, Prosecution of assailants by the Nigerian Police Force, Documentation and legal pursuit by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Humanitarian aid and rehabilitation efforts from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Support from media, civil society, and international bodies to amplify the call for justice.
“This carnage must end,” declared RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma. “Justice must prevail. The people of Imo State deserve to live without fear.”
Residents and advocacy groups warn that if decisive action is not taken, the region may face further loss of life, forced displacement, and the erosion of trust in public institutions.
