From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri and Felix Ikem, Nsukka
A deputy superintendent of police and an inspector attached to the Umuna divisional police headquarters in Onuimo council area of Imo State have been killed by gunmen.
It was learnt that the deceased police officers, who were on a stop-and-search in front of the divisional police headquarters, were killed by gunmen in a military uniform who operated in a black Hilux vehicle and immediately sped off.
It was equally gathered that the incident had caused pandemonium in the locality, as other motorists had abandoned their vehicles and scampered for safety.
The source said: “The police officers had blocked the road on a stop-and-search this morning, but unknown to them, the black Hilux van with about five men in military uniform were not actually soldiers but bandits, as they opened fire on the unsuspecting police officers and, in the process, killed the DSP and the Inspector and sped off before the other officers who had taken to their heels could react.
He added that the incident caused pandemonium as motorists quickly abandoned their vehicles and scampered for safety.”
However, as at press time, the spokesman of the Imo State command, Michael Abbattam, neither picked calls nor text messages sent to him by Daily Sun.
Also, gunmen have reportedly killed the youth leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of the Enugu State, Lucky Idoko.
It was gathered that Idoko was shot dead on Saturday, in his hometown, Unadu, while going about his normal business in the daytime. Sources, who pleaded anonymity, said Idoko was moving on his motorcycle with one other person when some gunmen ambushed them and shot him dead, while the person he was with escaped.
“Idoko was a popular person in our community; aside being APC youth leader in Igbo-Eze South, he was a former councillor and the chairmanship candidate of APC in the last local government election in Enugu State.
“He was just moving around the community with a friend on Saturday with his motorcycle, when gunmen ambushed and shot him dead. Luckily, the other person he was with when they were attacked escaped unhurt,” the source said.
He further said the deceased was head of the vigilance group in Unadu community, adding that his killing has spread fear and tension in the area. Reacting to the incident, Enugu North senatorial candidate of APC, Ejike Eze, described the killing of the APC youth leader as callous and heinous.
Eze said: “On behalf of the APC, Enugu North senatorial zone, I condemn, in strong terms, the callous murder of one of our party faithful, Idoko, the youth leader of the APC in Igboeze South council.
“This dastardly act is condemnable in its entirety, nothing can ever justify this cowardly behaviour. I am devastated, to say the least. Those who cut their brothers in their prime shall only meet a similar fate sooner than later. I wish to call on relevant security agencies to deploy their intelligence to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
He, then, urged the teeming members of the party to remain calm, peaceful and prayerful, too.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the alleged shooting and killing of Idoko, adding that the command has launched an investigation to identify those behind the act.