Reports indicate that soldiers and gunmen engaged in a gun battle for over two hours at a military checkpoint in Aba, Ehime Mbano Council Area of Imo State, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

TheCable reported that the gunmen attacked an army camp, killing several soldiers. In a viral video, bloodstained vehicles, alleged to belong to the soldiers were on fire.

The gunmen were said to have been chanting battle songs while setting the vehicles on fire.

The lyrics of the song say, “We are the angels. The angels are here. The army has run away. Why are they running? They should stand and face us,” they chanted.

“We are live at Ehime-Mbano army camp. Today is the 8th of October, we are the angels. We have come to take over.”

According to an eyewitness, a resident of the community who spoke to the publication said the gunmen attack began around 8:30pm on Tuesday.

“The gunmen invaded the Ehime-Mbano army camp and killed some soldiers. They also set on fire several operational vehicles in the camp.

“There is panic in our community. People are living in fear here. Gunmen have taken over our land. No one is safe anymore. The government should do something fast to save us.”

A report by Vanguardngr states that a resident labelled the attack as an “October movement.”

He said: “We have sacked them. It used to be the Ehime Mbano Local Government headquarters and they turned it into an Army camp.

“We have sacked them. This is our land. They should leave it for us.” It is unknown if there were any casualties involved in the gun battle.

It was also reported that tension has engulfed some communities, causing villagers to flee from their homes to avoid becoming victims during the clash.

It is gathered that some residents relocated to Owerri, while others moved to other neighbouring communities.