At Least 30 Killed in Separatist Attack on Okigwe-Owerri Road in Imo State, Nigeria

A deadly attack by suspected separatist gunmen on May 8, 2025, along the Okigwe-Owerri Road in Imo State has left at least 30 travelers dead and more than 20 vehicles burned, according to Amnesty International.

The vicious assault, which targeted commuters in Nigeria’s volatile southeastern region, has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for action to address the escalating violence linked to the Biafra separatist movement.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, with gunmen blocking the highway between Umuna in Onuimo Local Government Area and parts of Okigwe Local Government Area.

According to reports, the assailants opened fire on commuters, set vehicles ablaze, and engaged security forces in a gunfight.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident, attributing the attack to suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

However, IPOB has vehemently denied involvement, labeling the attack a “state-sponsored terrorist assault” and accusing Amnesty International Nigeria of aligning with government narratives to discredit the group.

Amnesty International strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “callous disregard for the sanctity of life” and urging Nigerian authorities to conduct a transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“International law requires the Nigerian government to promptly investigate unlawful killings,” the rights group stated in a post on X.

The Imo State Police, led by Commissioner Aboki Danjuma, have launched a “coordinated manhunt” for the attackers.

Police spokesperson Henry Okoye reported that one gunman was killed during the clash, and a stolen Toyota Corolla and a laptop were recovered at the scene.

Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing, with joint security teams, including the Nigerian Army and State Security Service, deployed to restore calm.

The attack has reignited concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria’s southeast, where separatist tensions have simmered since the Biafra civil war of 1967–1970, which claimed over one million lives, many due to starvation.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, led by detained leader Nnamdi Kanu, has been at the forefront of renewed calls for an independent Biafra state, encompassing the southeast and parts of the south-south.

While IPOB insists it pursues a non-violent agenda, Nigerian authorities frequently blame the group for deadly attacks in the region, a charge IPOB consistently denies.

In a statement, IPOB criticized Amnesty International Nigeria’s “hasty conclusion” linking the group to the attack, arguing that it undermines the organization’s credibility.

The group pointed to past incidents, such as the 2021 Owerri prison break, which it claims were orchestrated by the government to frame IPOB and justify crackdowns.

“The Nigerian government uses its paid agents to falsely accuse IPOB and ESN, thereby preventing any real inquiry into these incidents,” IPOB stated.

The Okigwe-Owerri Road attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Imo State, where security has deteriorated in recent years.

In March 2024, gunmen ambushed and killed two police officers in Okigwe, and in May 2024, a separate attack in Aba claimed the lives of six civilians and five soldiers.

These incidents, often attributed to separatists, have heightened fears among residents and disrupted daily life, with farmers caught in the crossfire and schools operating on reduced hours in areas like Okigwe and Orlu.

The violence comes amid broader regional challenges, including the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism and treason charges in Abuja, and Simon Ekpa, another prominent separatist leader held in Finland.

The Nigerian government has stated it is in talks with Finnish authorities regarding Ekpa’s alleged role in regional unrest but has not yet initiated extradition proceedings.

As the investigation into the May 8 attack continues, residents of Imo State are grappling with fear and uncertainty.

The incident has underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of separatist violence, including longstanding grievances over marginalization and economic disparities in the southeast.

For now, the Okigwe-Owerri Road, a vital artery for commuters, remains a grim reminder of the region’s fragile security.