Hope Uzodimma, the Imo State Governor has said operatives of the Department of State Service carried out the operation at Awo Mmamma, Oru East Local Government Area which led to the death of 14 youths.
Recall that protest rocked Awo Mmamma community on Monday following the discovery of the 14 bodies.
Residents alleged that they were killed by the Ebubeagu Security Network.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the restive community.
Residents had said that the Ebubeagu Security Network was commanded by Ogwu Mozambique of Amuri.
Among the killed were two siblings from Otulu in Orlu East identified as Chido Ekesinachi and Nnamdi Ekesinachi. Others were from Mgbidi in Oru West Local Government Area.
But shedding more lights into the killing of the 14 persons after a security meeting on Monday night, Uzodimma said that they were killed by the DSS.
He said that they were not wedding guests but were traced to a camp, adding that one of gang leaders who was earlier arrested by the DSS acted as a pointer.
He said that the claims that they were wedding guests and were killed by Ebubeagu Security Network is a propaganda spread by the supporters and sponsors of banditry in the state.
Uzodimma further said that banditry would not be allowed to take roots in the state, urging independent bodies to investigate what truly transpired in Awo Mmamma.
Videos of the incident which had since gone viral on social media showed the murdered youths being wheeled in barrows to the mortuary.
A resident of Otulu, Nnamdi Agbor said seven of the victims were from the community. He said that a member of the community went to Awo Mmamma to marry but the guests were attacked by Ebubeagu Security Network.
