The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the murder of two police officers at a checkpoint on Owerri-Okigwe road (Akabo) in the early hours of Tuesday.
An eyewitness reported that the gunmen arrived on a motorbike at around 6:10 AM and shot the two officers on duty, as well as a civilian gatekeeper.
Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, described the incident as “very unfortunate” and accused members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the murder.
Okoye stated, “Hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB engaged our Police Mobile Operatives conducting stop and search at Akabo. The Police Operatives fought gallantly, but two officers paid the supreme price.”
A civilian was also partially hit by a bullet, but his condition is unknown.
The Police Command has launched an intense operation to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Okoye vowed, “A Special Tactical Team of the Command is currently carrying out an intense operation to fish out those behind the dastardly act.”
