From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Two police officers have been killed barely 72 hours after the traditional ruler of Otulu, Amumara, Eze Joe Ochulor, was gruesomely murdered by gunmen in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
A source from the area said the two police officers were said to have been killed, yesterday, inside a filling station at Ahiara junction in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area.
The incident was also said to have led to the death of a passerby, who was hit by stray bullets from the hoodlums. Daily Sun gathered that, on arrival, the attackers opened fire on the cops who were in uniform.
The source said: “Two policemen have been killed at Ahiara junction. On arrival, the gunmen opened fire at the direction of the policemen and killed two on the spot.
A stray bullet also hit a young man and he died on the spot. The video clips of the lifeless bodies of the victims are circulating online. This is very unfortunate.”
When contacted, spokesperson of the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killing of the two officers, adding that the command had declared a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
Only last Saturday, gunmen had abducted the traditional ruler of the Otulu community in Ezinihitte Mbaise council area of Imo State, Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor, from his palace.
The lifeless body of the monarch was later dumped inside a burrow pit at the boundary between Chokoneze in Ezinihitte Mbaise council area and Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise council area.
The late monarch was a retired school principal and former secretary of the education board in Ezinihitte Mbaise council.