Some unidentified gunmen, on Friday morning, ambushed policemen at Okpala junction in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.
A source said that a couple, Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu, who were from the Amankwo Okpala community, were also killed.
The source said due to the tragedy, business activities in the entire neighbourhood had come to an end.
He said: “The dead officers traveled from the nearby Abo Mbaise police division to eat at the junction.”
He claimed that some gunmen arrived on the spot and started shooting at the policeman while they were eating.
He claimed that while three police officers were slain at the spot, two others who fled were killed alongside a couple at a shop where they ran for cover.
“The shop belonged to the couple.
“The attackers took away five riffles after killing the police officers.
“This is very regrettable. Our neighborhood is in pain. Everyone is perplexed. About a year ago, the couple moved from Lagos. The market has closed. Out of shock and panic, people have fled. I can’t believe this,” he lamented.
A community source, Emeka Ndukwu, who claimed to have driven via the Owerri-Aba Road, said he saw the dead bodies of the police officers.
Ndukwu remarked, “This is awful. As we passed by, the five policemen’s bodies were on the road. At the crossroads, their Hilux was also parked. It was an awful scene. This is awful. God be merciful”.
Spokesman of the State Police Command, Henry Okoye said he had not yet received a briefing on the murder.
Everest
21 April 2023 at 10:29 pm
Their five rifles collected by the criminal gunmen. Yes, they were ambushed while eating but it doesn’t show alertness and professionalism that the slain policemen couldn’t repel attack of the gunmen even while eating. May their souls rest in peace while their spirits haunt their killers.
However, they ought to know the environment in which they were operating. Very unfortunate and condemnable.
I trust a manhunt for the fleeing criminals, will bring them to justice soonest.
BAMGBELU ADENIYI AKINYEMI
22 April 2023 at 3:50 am
The state police spoke person said he is yet to be briefed. Can he not visit the scene, collect information’s directly rather than waiting to be briefed. What a calous system of operation.