Police confirm killing of four personnel in Imo

Imo State Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma has confirmed the killing of four police officers by gunmen on Monday in Irete, Owerri West Local Council of the state.

A civilian was also fatally hit.

Danjuma, who described the incident as a “murdering of sleep,” promised the assailants hard times.

The command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed in a statement that the incident occurred on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Irete.

He said: “The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, strongly condemned the attack and gruesome murder of four police operatives and a civilian by gunmen.

“We have deployed the Command’s Tactical Unit with available operational assets and intelligence to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.”

On how the victims were killed, he said: “The operatives were ambushed while on a routine patrol at Irete along the Owerri-Onitsha road. They fought gallantly, but unfortunately, four paid the supreme price, while a civilian was fatally hit.”

Okoye stressed that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in a morgue.

According to him, on receipt of the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately mobilised to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment of the ugly incident wherein the lifeless bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the mortuary for preservation. At the same time, the injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently responding to treatment.

The CP expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident and vowed that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice, stressing that the miscreants responsible for the senseless attack have murdered sleep.”

Danjuma said: “The tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the daily risks and sacrifices police officers embrace in their unwavering commitment to public safety.”

He commiserated with the families of the fallen officers and prayed for the repose of their souls.