A devastating incident occurred on Monday along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State, where unknown gunmen ambushed and killed four police officers and a female POS operator. The police officers were on routine patrol at Irete when they were attacked.
The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who had held a stakeholders’ meeting just hours before the incident, confirmed the attack and ordered the Command’s Tactical Units to collaborate with other agencies to hunt down the perpetrators.
“The tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the daily risks and sacrifices police officers embrace in their unwavering commitment to public safety,” Danjuma stated.
According to the police spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, the officers were killed during a gun battle between the police and the attackers. The lifeless bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the mortuary, while the injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Police Commissioner expressed sadness over the incident and vowed to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators were brought to justice, stressing that they had “murdered peace.”
Danjuma commiserated with the families of the deceased victims and prayed for the repose of their souls. An investigation is currently underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.