At least two persons have died at Afaor Awo market in Awo Omamma community in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo state.
The incident which happened on Wednesday saw many injured as gunmen invaded the local market.
Our correspondent gathered that at least six persons sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds.
Many others sustained injuries from stampede as the hoodlums shot constantly while chasing a man believed to be their gang member.
The development compelled traders in the market to quickly close their shops.
Villagers said that a five-year-old boy was found dead after the attack.
A man who owned a motorcycle spare parts shop in the market simply identified as Emeka, died late Wednesday night in a hospital where he was taken to.
Our correspondent learnt that the attack was a result of a booty sharing that went wrong.
According to them, the hoodlums numbering three had gone on kidnap operation early this year, but one of them who is popularly known as Orjiwuagu from Umuifa, Ubachima Awo Omamma, ran away with the ransom said to be millions of Naira.
He was said to have used part of the money to buy a Lexus car, commenced the building of a house and living large within the village.
His gang members traced him to the village, but upon sighting him, he drove towards Afor Awo Market where thousands of traders were trading.
He was said to have stopped at the market as his gang members gave him a chase. He then ran into the market for protection, though with bullet wounds.
A source said, “Based on what I witnessed, the guy being chased and his gang went for kidnap or robbery operation which went fine. The guy, out of greed, took the money paid to them as ransom and ran away.
“Today(Wednesday), they saw him and started chasing him all the way from Ubachima Village. He came out at the Afor Market and wanted to drive to the junction, unfortunately, they double-crossed him and started shooting.
“He ran into the market and that was when bullets started hitting people.
“The most painful death was that of a boy of five years. He was the only son of his father.”
A spokesperson of the State Police Command, Orlando Ikeokwu, when contacted said that he had not been briefed.
Credit: Punch