Imo State in grip of insecurity as three feared dead in latest attack

 

Owerri, the Imo State capital on Sunday recorded another security incident as daredevil robbers allegedly shot dead three persons.

The incident was confirmed by the Imo State Police Command.

Spokesman of the Command, SP Roland Ikeokwu disclosed that the robbers attacked motorists in Orji area of Owerri; leaving four persons with bullet injuries. Orlando said the victims of the attack had been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri for treatment.

Equally important, the incident took place near the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters on Owerri-Okigwe Road around 10.30pm.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the hoodlums were trailing an unmarked security vehicle. They eventually double-crossed it at Orji and opened fire on the driver. The robbers were said to have also robbed other motorists and commuters in commercial vehicles at the same spot.

Thereafter, the robbers shot sporadically to scare away people before making their escape. Eyewitnesses say the sporadic shooting resulted in three more persons being hit by bullets.

The incident caused tension and panic in the area, forcing residents and passers-by to run for their lives.

Meanwhile, the incident comes barely 24 hours after the attack on Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s country home in Omuma; thereby further heightening the spectre of insecurity in the state.

In another development, the Police has debunked reports of an alleged attack on the Imo House of Assembly. In a statement made available to the media, SP Ikeokwu faulted a video making the rounds online purportedly showing the assembly complex on fire.

He added that the building was neither the state house of assembly nor any building in Imo.

Imo State has been left reeling from a string of recurring security incidents. Earlier this month, hoodlums attacked the Police Headquarters building in the state and freed inmates from a Correctional Facility.