Barely 24 hours that bandits killed a Catholic priest in Nkwere Council area of Imo State, gunmen have struck again killing a police sergeant, Christian Nnamani, on Tuesday night.
The policeman was shot at the popular Control Post Junction, opposite the Assumpta Catholic Cathedral in Owerri. A passerby was also hit by a stray bullet from the hoodlums.
It was gathered that the slain police officer whose AK-47 rifle was also taken away by the bandits, and his colleagues were on stop-and-search duty in the area by 9 pm when the bandits caught them napping and opened fire on them.
The surprise attack sent the officers on duty scampering for safety while the hoodlums made away with the AK-47 rifle of their fallen colleague.
The police spokesman in the state, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.
He said: “It is true; we lost a police sergeant on Tuesday. Sergeant Christian Nnamani attached to Mobile Police 18, Owerri, was on stop-and-search duty with his colleagues at Control Post Junction in Owerri when the incident happened.
“On sighting the sergeant, who was the last guard man, the hoodlums, who were in a green Golf car, shot him dead and made away with his AK-47 rifle. Also, a passerby (civilian) was equally hit by stray bullets and was quickly rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where he is being attended to.
“We are on the trail of the criminals. The commissioner of police, who is pained by the death of the officer, has activated the tactical units of the command to go after the fleeing criminals.
“I assure you that we will get them. The CP advises members of the public to be very careful of the happenings around them. We are in the ‘ember months’ and the need to be security-conscious becomes very imperative. But, most importantly, the police have the capacity and capability to protect Imo residents.”
