By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Armed men have killed seven community leaders in Imo State.
The killings took place on Saturday in a remote Imo community.
The armed men first gunned down the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, Hyginus Ohazurike.
After killing the village head, the gunmen said to be armed with AK 47 went after six other village heads in the area.
Imo State located in the South East is one of those confronted with violence and killings linked to armed groups operating in the region.
The administrator of the local government area, Emeka Obi, has condemned the killings.
Sources in the local community said the victims were having a meeting when the gun men struck.
Amadi Edozie, a community youth leader in the area said locals are worried by the freelance murderers who are anxious to kill people at the least provocation.
He said “This is getting out of hand. Our people are dying in silence.People are being killed right in their homes. We are no longer save. It’s mind-boggling.”
He said there were no preceding communal conflict in the area and did not understand why the armed men should kill the seven community leaders.
In the past two weeks, no fewer than 15 people have been killed in the South East in related armed attacks.