PUBLICATION - Officers Killed, Vehicles Razed As Gunmen Attack Imo Police Station

 Gunmen, on Friday night, attacked the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters in

Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.

The attack, which claimed the lives of four officers, also saw part of the division and vehicles, including that of the Divisional Police Officer, razed.

Among the victims were two male and female officers, whose bodies were set ablaze.

ONIKEWIDE gathered that one of the slain officers was only two weeks old in the force.

The gunmen also invaded the house of a resident, Ejike, shot him dead and shot his wife before fleeing the scene.

Confident sources in the community said the gunmen invaded the community in a tipper vehicle and two sienna cars, between 10 and 11 pm.

“They came in a tipper and two sienna vehicles, shooting indiscriminately and we all ran into our houses. It was around 10 and 11pm. It was this morning that we heard that they were criminals and they attacked the police division, killed four policemen and burnt vehicles there”, one of the sources said.

Another source said, “I was already inside when I started hearings sounds of gunshots. I didn’t bother coming outside because it was safer to stay indoors than to come outside.

“It was this morning that we heard that the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters was attacked. Four policemen were killed. Two male officers were shot dead, while two female police officers were burnt to death.

“ One of the officers killed is a new recruit. He is not more than two weeks he became a police officer after the passing out parade.

“Part of the building were the female officers were was burnt. Vehicles at the division, including the one belonging to the DPO were burnt. They also went to the house of an Okada man known as Ejike, shot him dead and shot his wife. His wife is alive.”

Also, a source, who called on the government to rescue the situation, said, “We are living in fears. We don’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. It is one problem or the other. We don’t even know the reason for this heinous crime. Two female police officers roasted and the two others killed in cold blood. This is anti- human.

“This is unbelievable. God should please come to our rescue. The government should please rise up to the occasion. Things are getting out of hand. I don’t know if they want us to run away from our homes. It is now like a way situation. God please help us.

While the state police spokesperson, Micheal Abattam, is yet to confirm the incident, a security source in the area said some policemen had been drafted from outside the division and had taken over the area, while the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde, was being expected at the scene.