Bandit escapes from Imo prison, kills 8 Mmahu Egbema community

Eight persons have been shot dead by a lone ranger bandit said to be terrorizing the oil-bearing community of Mmahu Egbema, headquarters of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The bandit, an escapee of Imo Correctional Centre had stormed the community from a nearby bush and started shooting which resulted in killing people.

The President of Egbema Community Mr Romano told Tribune Online on Tuesday that the bandit who is from the community had since escaped from the prison, and has been terrorizing the entire community.

He said that his action made the community invite the security to the community to arrest him with the help of the youths but he ran away into the bush.

He said the incident which occured on Monday night, has thrown the entire community into mourning.

The Youth President said that before now the bandit had killed three persons and escaped into the bush for fear of not being apprehended by security agents.

Confirming the incident, the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abatham said that the Command is aware of the incident.

While he did not confirm the number of casualties involved, he said that investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings has commenced.