Gunmen shot dead four police officers at a stop-and-search checkpoint along the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo State on Monday during an ambush on the security agents.
An eyewitness who spoke on the incident revealed that “the gunmen stormed one of the popular hotels where the police checkpoint was mounted at Irete around 6:30 pm and shot at the four policemen on a stop-and-search duty, including a Point of Sale operator.
“They also shot dead a female Point Of Sale operator and some pedestrians who were taken unawares and rushed to a nearby hospital. It was horrific. All the people around ran away for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
“This road has become a flashpoint. Last time, they also shot dead several policemen on duty and civilians.
“Government should beef up security in this area to forestall further occurrences.”
Another indigene, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attackers were enforcers of the Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East.
Meanwhile, 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.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Command, ASP Henry Okoye, said the gunmen were suspected to be members of the Proscribed IPOB/ESN, adding that the CP 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 operatives were ambushed while on routine patrol at Irete along the Owerri-Onitsha express road. They fought gallantly but unfortunately, four paid the supreme price, while a civilian was fatally hit.
“On receipt of the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately mobilized to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment of the ugly incident wherein the lifeless bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the mortuary for preservation while the injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is currently responding to treatment.
“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 commiserated 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 Ogbakwu 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,” Okoye said.
