Imo: Police Launch Manhunt As Gunmen Murder Five Officers, Couple

The Imo State Police Command has launched manhunt to arrest the killers of five officers and couple at Okpala junction in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

Gunmen had on Friday morning at about 8.a.m opened fire on the slain policemen who drove from neighbouring Abo Mbaise police division to eat at the junction.

An eyewitness revealed that three police were shot dead at the scene, while the other two officers who ran to a nearby shop were traced by the unknown gunmen and murdered instantly. 

"The policemen drove in a white coloured Hilux from Aboh Mbaise Police Division to eat at the junction.

“As they were eating, gunmen drove to the place and opened fire on them. Two out of the five policemen ran to a nearby shop where a couple sold meat pie and sachet water. After killing the three policemen, they went to the shop where the two other officers were hiding and killed them, "he said.  

The source disclosed that a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu, who operated the restaurant that the officers ran to were also killed.

He lamented that the Nwagu's, who hailed from Amankwo Okpala community, relocated from Lagos about one year ago, adding that their bodies were already deposited in a mortuary. 

"The market is shut. People here ran away out of shock and fear. This is unbelievable. Our community is bleeding. Everybody is confused," he added. 

He pointed out that after killing the policemen, the gunmen carted away their five rifles.

News Rider gathered that gunmen had on March 27, ambushed and killed five personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the same Ngor Okpala Council Area.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said that the command’s Tactical and Operational Teams had been deployed to the area.

He stated that the command is already on the trail of the suspects, adding that security had been beefed up in the area to increase public confidence.

Okoye added: “The command has deployed tactical and operational teams to the area for constant patrol and in search of those behind this dastardly act.

“We are closing in on them."

The police imagemaker hinted that the corpses of the operatives were evacuated and deposited in a morgue.

Okoye enjoined the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear.