Security operatives made a breakthrough for the first time in Imo this year as they successfully resisted and repelled an attack on Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters by unknown gunmen.

The attack, which happened Thursday night, saw the joint security operatives killing about eight hoodlums in the gun duel.

The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, could not be reached, but a senior police officer confirmed the development to NAN.

The police officer said the corpses of the hoodlums and their vehicles had been brought to the state police command headquarters in Owerri.

He disclosed that the police headquarters was not razed, neither was any security personnel killed in the attack.

The operatives also recovered seven vehicles the attackers used for attempted operation.

Since January and April, unknown gunmen had successfully carried out attacks on about ten police stations, including the razing of the state police command headquarters.

They also successfully attacked and freed no fewer than 1,800 prisoners from the Owerri prison.

The gun battle between the unknown gunmen and the security operatives in Orlu lasted several hours, as the military sent reinforcement from the 34 artillery brigade, Obinze.

The gun duel created an atmosphere of panic as people scampered for safety, leaving the roads in Orlu town and its environs deserted.

A resident of the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity told NAN that they could not sleep due to the gunfire.

He also disclosed that an armoured personnel carrier was allegedly set ablaze at Umuna junction in Orlu town.

The resident disclosed that one of his cousins was hit by a stray bullet.

The attack came few hours after the new Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, assumed office.

Yaro told NAN when contacted that he would officially brief journalists on the incident as investigations were still ongoing.

(NAN)