DSS DEBUNKS ALLEGED EBUBE AGU KILLINGS

The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked media reports alleging that the Imo State Vigilante - Ebube Agu - killed innocent civilians in Awo-Omamma community of Imo State on Sunday the 17th of July 2022.

The DSS statement rather confirmed that its own men *in joint security operations* with other security agents embarked on an operation on the same day at the Awo Camp of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).

An apprehended member of the outlawed security unit, Mmerem Chinonso who is in the custody of the DSS also confirmed the said operation to newsmen.

Mmerem, according to the DSS has been aiding security agents in the series of coordinated operations against insecurity in the State.

In his confessional statement during a press briefing in Owerri, Chinonso Mmerem confirmed to newsmen that the Awo-Omamma incident was a joint operation on the Awo camp of the ESN. He also said that those killed during the exchange of gunfire between the bandits and security agents were identifiable members of the outlawed ESN and not innocent victims from a nonexistent *wedding ceremony* as was claimed in certain quarters of the media.

Both statements *validate* the earlier statement by the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, which denied claims that wedding guests were intentionally killed by the State's Vigilante unit.

The Governor's position was based on an interim security report received from Security agencies during the Imo State Security Council meeting held on Monday, 18th July 2022.