Four policemen on stop and search duty along Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo state have been reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen also shot a female POS operator during the attack.
The eyewitness, who claimed to be a resident of Irete in Owerri-west LGA of Imo state, said fear couldn’t allow him and others to ascertain how many civilians were shot.
He said, “The gunmen stormed the Blossom Hotel police checkpoint, near Savemore marketplace, Irete around and shot sporadically at the policemen on stop and search duty, killing four officers on duty.
“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 soft spot for them. Last time, they also shot dead several policemen on duty and civilians. The government should beef up security in this area to prevent further occurrences.”
Another indigene who spoke on condition of anonymity said the attackers were enforcers of Monday sit-at-home.
He added, “I didn’t know the Monday sit-at-home still exists in Imo state. I thought it had been jettisoned, but with what happened today, people will no longer come out on Monday for fear of being killed by unknown gunmen.”
When contacted, the Imo State police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, said the command had yet to be briefed on the incident but would revert as soon as details are available.
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