Hoodlums yesterday killed at least two police officers who were reportedly on duty at Okpala junction in Imo State.
It was gathered that they were on duty at a checkpoint at Umudim very close to Okpala Junction along Owerri/Aba road when the gunmen arrived in a large number and began shooting.
Some cops were killed at the same location about a month ago.
A source said as the hoodlums arrived in two vehicles, they sighted the police officers and opened fire on them, two of them died on the spot while another one was shot on his leg.
Police public relations officer, Henry Okoye, said the hoodlums suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) fled the scene after being confronted by a reinforcement team of the police.
According to him, some of the suspects escaped with bullet wounds during the gun battle with the police.
He added; “It is true that some hoodlums suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) shot at our men who were defending the properties of residents of the area, two of the officers died in the process, while another one was shot in the leg.
“They fled after they observed we had sighted their operational vehicle, some of them were hit, but escaped with bullets. We have already launched a manhunt for them in a bid to arrest all those involved”.
In a related development, gunmen yesterday kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Jude Kingsley Maduka of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe in Imo State.
Maduka, who was ordained on September 22, 2012, is the parish priest of Christ the King’s Parish, Ezinnachi/Ugwaku, Okigwe LGA of the state.
“He was kidnapped from his New Adoration site at Ogii Village in Okigwe LGA while on inspection at the new site,”
the chancellor/secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Rev. Fr Iwuanyanwu said yesterday.
“We solicit your fervent prayers that he may come back to us safe and sound,” he added.
Police spokesman, Henry Okoye, said the command was yet to be briefed on the incident.
