1 June 2026 · Ohaji-Egbema
Communal violence in Imo
OpenWatch has recorded 63 reported communal violence incidents in Imo State, 5 of them in the last 12 months. That is 8% of every incident recorded in the state, and ranks it 28 of 35 among the states where communal violence is reported often enough to profile.
Incidents · 12 mo
5
Fatalities · 12 mo
13
Incidents · all-time
63
Fatalities · all-time
250
Latest reported communal violence in Imo
28 May 2026
Unidentified gunmen attacked a community in Imo, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals and the burning of houses.
13 May 2026 · Owerri West
Suspected herdsmen attacked the Eziobodo community, injuring several residents, including a minor. The attackers attempted to abduct a man but were thwarted by local vigilantes and police.
11 May 2026 · Owerri West
Gunmen attacked Eziobodo and surrounding communities in Imo State, injuring several residents, including a child. The attackers attempted to abduct a victim but were resisted by local vigilante groups and police.
11 May 2026 · Owerri West
Suspected gunmen invaded the Eziobodo area of Owerri West LGA, causing panic among students, traders, and motorists. One victim was reported injured during the incident.
7 January 2025 · Orsu
Coordinated machete attacks in several communities in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals, sparking fear among locals. The police have confirmed the incident and are investigating.
19 June 2023 · Oguta
At least 50 people were killed and over 170 houses were burned in Izombe, Oguta, Imo State, due to violent clashes involving security operatives and local residents. The situation has led to mass displacement and closure of markets, schools, and churches in the area.
14 January 2023 · Ideato
On January 14, 2023, a group of gunmen attacked the residence of a political candidate in Akokwa, Imo State, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and the destruction of over thirty vehicles and buildings using explosives.
9 December 2022 · Mbaitoli
Gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order in Owerri, Imo state, shot dead a policeman and injured a civilian during an attack on a convoy. The incident caused panic among residents, leading to a mass exodus from the area.
7 November 2022 · Oguta
A clash between youths of Izombe and soldiers from the 34 Artillery Brigade resulted in several fatalities. The confrontation was reportedly triggered by the killing of a truck driver by the youths, leading to increased military patrols in the area.
Other threats in Imo
About these figures
Counts cover incidents classified as communal violence in Imo State, drawn from OpenWatch’s incident record, excluding retracted reports and duplicates merged into an earlier report. Figures update hourly. Last recorded: 1 June 2026.
Reported numbers are a floor, not a census. Incidents in remote areas are routinely under-reported, and classification follows how an event was described in reporting, so a low count is not a guarantee of safety. See the full Imo risk profile for every threat type, or the methodology for how incidents are collected and classified.
Track Imo live on the incident map.