Gunmen struck on Tuesday, killing a policeman and two others in separate attacks across Owerri, Imo State.
The incidents triggered panic in the state capital and its surroundings, causing residents and business people to flee.
The policeman, identified as JC Ireozor, and one Paulinus Mbakwe were killed when gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at Nworiubi, the headquarters of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, on Tuesday night.
Eyewitnesses, preferring to remain anonymous, reported that the assailants emerged from a nearby bush and started shooting at people, resulting in the immediate deaths of the two men and injuries to others. It was learned that the victims were kinsmen from Ifeakala community in Mbaitoli LGA.
A source said, “Two people have been confirmed dead. They are his family relatives—one a policeman and the other a civilian. Both were from the Ifeakala community in Mbaitoli LGA. Others were injured. The attackers came out of the bush and started shooting indiscriminately.”
In a separate incident, gunmen killed a businessman at the popular Amawire junction in Orji community, Owerri North Local Government Area.
The businessman, Okey Nze, popularly known as Wealthy Empire, was shot dead in his boutique by gunmen at Amawire junction.
He was shot at close range in his shop after being robbed, according to a source mourning him.
After killing the businessman, the assailants set ablaze several articulated vehicles carrying multiple bags of cement at Orji junction on the Owerri-Okigwe Road.
They also fired shots at the Nkwo Orji market, causing a stampede.
Additionally, the attackers kidnapped a motorist and set his vehicle on fire at the Ekemele end of the Owerri-Okigwe expressway in Ikeduru Local Government Area as they fled.
Media24flashnews Team Reporters gathered that, On Monday night, gunmen killed one person and set a vehicle on fire at Umuelemai junction, the headquarters of Isiala Mbano LGA.
These incidents have caused significant tension in the areas, with people running for safety.
On Monday evening, gunmen had killed four policemen and at a Point of Sale operator in Irette community on the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
While Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in the state, condemned the killings of the policemen and civilian on Monday evening in Irette, he had not commented on Tuesday’s separate attacks and killings at the time of this report.
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