Tragedy struck on Monday evening in Imo state as gunmen attacked a police checkpoint along Owerri-Onitsha road, killing four policemen on stop and search duty. A lady civilian suspected to be a point of sale (POS) operator was also hit by the bullet.
The incident occurred around 6:30pm, with eyewitnesses describing the scene as “horrific”.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen also shot some pedestrians who were rushed to a nearby hospital.
The eyewitness, said: “The gunmen stormed at Blossom Hotel police checkpoint, near SaveMore Market Place Irete around 6:30pm or thereabout and shot sporadically at the policemen on stop and search duty, killing four officers on duty.”
He added: “They also shot dead a female Point Of Sale operator and some pedestrians who were taken unawares… All the people around ran away for fear of being hit by stray bullets.”
Another witness who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the attack to enforcers of the Monday sit-at-home order.
Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command Aboki Danjuma said that the miscreants responsible for the senseless attack have murdered peace.
In a statement signed by State Police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, said that the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has strongly condemned the attack and gruesome murder of four police operatives and a civilian by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN and has deployed the Command’s Tactical Units with the available operational assets and intelligence to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.
The statement reads in part, "The Commissioner of Police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident and vowed that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are all arrested and brought to justice, stressing that the miscreants responsible for the senseless attack have murdered peace.
"The tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the daily risks and sacrifices Police officers embrace in their unwavering commitment to public safety.
"CP Aboki Danjuma commiserates with the families of the deceased victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.
"The Commissioner of Police calls on the general public, particularly the residents of Ogbaku who may have any information that will assist the Police in apprehending the hoodlums responsible for the attack to report the same at the nearest Police Station or via the Command’s emergency lines 08034773600 or 08098880197."
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