Tragically, Imo state’s Agwa Divisional Police headquarters was stormed by gunmen on Friday night, killing four police personnel, according to reports.
It was discovered that the assailants set fire to a portion of the division and many vehicles, including the one containing the Divisional Police Officer.
This happened as the assailants broke into the home of a resident only known as Ejike, shot him dead, then shot his wife before running away.
Locals and people in the neighborhood have voiced shock and panic as a result of the development.
They struck in three automobiles at roughly 10 to 11 p.m., according to unnamed community sources.
The shooters entered the police division, according to the sources, driving a tipper and two sedans.
One of the sources said,” They came in a tipper and two sienna vehicles shooting indiscriminately and we all ran into our houses. It was around 10 and 11pm.
“It was this morning that we heard that they were criminals and they attacked the police division, killed four policemen and burnt vehicles there.”
Another source claimed that the man heard gunshots while he was inside his home and decided not to go outside.
He said, “I was already inside when I started hearings sounds of gunshots. I didn’t bother coming outside because it was safer to stay indoors than to come outside.
“It was this morning that we heard that the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters was attacked. Four policemen were killed. Two male officers were shot dead while two female police officers were burnt to death.
“Part of the building were the female officers were was burnt. Vehicles at the division, including the one belonging to the DPO were burnt. They also went to the house of an Okada man known as Ejike, shot him dead and shot his wife. His wife is alive.”
Another person complained that their citizens were living in dread and urged the government to intervene.
He said, “We are living in fears. We don’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. It is one problem or the other. We don’t even know the reason for this heinous crime. Two female police officers were roasted and the two others were killed in cold blood. This is anti- human.
“This is unbelievable. God should please come to our rescue. The government should please rise up to the occasion. Things are getting out of hand. I don’t know if they want us to run away from our homes. It is now like a way situation. God, please help us.
One of the killed officers had only been on the force for two weeks, according to another source who spoke to our correspondent.
He said, “One of the officers killed is a new recruit. He is not more two weeks he became a police officer after the passing out parade.
Our correspondent saw graphic images of the division that was attacked and some officers who were found dead in their blood.
Another source informed our correspondent that the area had been taken over by police officers assigned from outside the division and that state commissioner of police Muhammed Berde was on the way.
When contacted, Michael Abattam, the state police spokesperson, did answer his calls. As of the time this story was filed, he had not replied to messages left on his cell lines.
