Seven traders of northern extraction were killed by gunmen in separate shooting incidents in Orlu town and Umuaka in Njaba local government area between Friday and Saturday.
Sources said the killers dressed in military uniform invaded the Afor Umuaka market around 8:30 pm and attacked the victims.
They said the decease who were between 30 and 45 years had lived in the communty for many years without any issue with their host.
The situation, they said, has created fears in the Hausa community in the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Gender, Vulnerable Groups, Northern Affairs (Men), Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the state government and security agencies have waded into the matter.
While calling for peace to reign, Sulaiman said Governor Hope Uzodimma is disturbed by the incidents.
He said the killing is politically-motivated, but assured the Northern community of the commitment of the government of Imo to putting a stop to the attacks.
The Imo state Police Command is yet to respond to the incident.
