Gunmen kill one in Imo, burn govt vehicle

Gunmen on Tuesday afternoon killed a young man at Orji in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.

This incident is coming twenty-four hours after four police officers and a point-of-sale operator were killed in Irette, Owerri West LGA in the state.

The gunmen, who shot sporadically into the air while heading to Owerri-Enugu Road, also burned the Imo State Government Waste Management Agency vehicle at Nkwo Orji Market in Owerri North.

When PUNCH Metro visited Nkwo Orji Market, the vehicle was already in flames.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen were shouting, “Stay in your homes. Don’t come out during the sit-at-home if you value your lives.”

“The traders and buyers scampered for safety, abandoning their wares and vehicles as they ran for their lives.”

PUNCH Metro noticed that commuters were stranded, as few buses were seen plying the route for fear of being harmed.

Reacting to the killing, the Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Henry Okoye, said, “Police operatives have been massively deployed to Orji. The situation is under control. The miscreants responsible for the attacks will certainly be brought to book.”

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