JUST IN: Armed gunmen kill five policemen, couple in ambush

Suspected armed gunmen on Friday morning, ambushed and killed five policemen at Okpala junction in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

Congress news learnt that a couple, Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu, who were from the Amankwo Okpala community, were also killed.

According to a report, the incident which occurred on Friday morning had paralyzed commercial activities in the community.

A source said, “The dead officers travelled from the nearby Abo Mbaise police division to eat at the junction when they were ambushed.”

The source alleged that some gunmen arrived on the spot and started shooting at the policemen while they were eating.

He said three policemen were slain at the spot, two others who fled were killed alongside a couple at a shop where they ran for cover.

“The shop belonged to the couple. The attackers took away five riffles after killing the police officers.

“This is very regrettable. Our neighborhood is in pain. Everyone is perplexed. About a year ago, the couple moved from Lagos. The market has closed. Out of shock and panic, people have fled. I can’t believe this,” he groaned.

A resident, Emeka Ndukwu, who claimed to have driven via the Owerri-Aba Road, said he saw the dead bodies of the policemen.

He said, “This is awful. As we passed by, the five policemen’s bodies were on the road. At the crossroads, their Hilux was also parked. It was an awful scene. This is awful. God be merciful.”

The police spokesman of the State Command, Henry Okoye said he is yet to receive a briefing on the murder.