Security Sources confirmed the death of eight gunmen who had been killed in an encounter with the police in the Orlu area of Imo State on Friday.
Orlu, the location of the attempted attack is the second-largest city in Southeast Nigeria.
According to a police source, the hoodlums were on their way to attack Orlu Police Station on Thursday evening but they were ambushed and killed in a joint counter-attack by military and police operatives.
This comes about two weeks after a joint operation comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services killed militant commander Ikonso, and six others.