Suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members, on Tuesday killed a policeman, two others in separate attacks in various parts of Imo state.
The development raised tensions in various parts of the state capital and its environs, as residents and business people fled.
The policeman identified as JC Ireozor was killed alongside one Paulinus Mbakwe when some gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at Nworiubi, the headquarters of the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday night.
Sources who preferred anonymity, said that the attackers emerged from a nearby bush and shot repeatedly at people, leading to the instant death of the two persons and others being injured.
It was learnt that the two victims were kinsmen from Ifeakala community in the Mbaitoli LGA.
One of the sources said” two persons have been confirmed dead. The two persons are my family relatives. One is a policeman while the other is a civilian. They hailed from the Ifeakala community in the Mbaitoli LGA. Others are injured. The attackers emerged from a nearby bush and started shooting, indiscriminately.”
In another attack, some gunmen killed a businessman at the popular Amawire junction in Orji community in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.
The businessman, Okey Nze but popularly known as Wealthy Empire was shot dead in his boutique shop by some gunmen at the Amawire junction.
He was shot dead at a closed range in his shop after robbing him, a source said while mourning him.
After killing the business, the -on- the rampage killer men, set ablaze some articulated vehicles conveying multiple bags of cement at the Orji junction, situated on the Owerri – Okigwe Road.
They also shot sporadically at the Nkwo Orji market, causing a stampede in the market.
They were said to had also kidnapped a motorist and set his vehicle ablaze at the Ekemele end of the Owerri – Okigwe expressway which is in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state as they fled.
On Monday night, some gunmen killed one person and set a vehicle on fire at the Umuelemai junction which is the headquarters of the Isiala Mbano LGA of the state.
Recall that on Monday evening, four policemen and a Point of Sale Operator were Killed at Irette community which is located on the Owerri – Onitsha expressway.
While the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye is yet to comment on the Tuesday’s separate attacks and killings as of the time of filing this report.
