Police Kill Unknown Gunman, Arrest One In Imo

Policemen in Imo State have killed an unknown gunman and arrested another one along Owerri/Onitsha Road in Owerri, the state capital.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abattam, disclosed this In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday.

He stated that the slain gunman and other members of the gang who disguised as mourners, ran into a police checkpoint on Wednesday, November 17.

Abattam submitted that one of the gunmen was killed in an attempt to shoot at the police operatives during a stop and search operation.

The police spokesman added that one of the gunmen was arrested and others escaped with gunshots wounds during a shoot out with policemen.

He revealed that one Police Special Berretta Pistol, 10 rounds of live ammunition, one Bus and a belated Burial Poster were recovered from the gunmen.

Abattam added that the corpse of the slain criminal has been deposited in the mortuary, while the arrested suspect is undergoing interrogation.

He said: “The suspected gunmen masquerading as persons mourning, going for burial ceremony somewhere in the state, approached the Police checkpoint in a convoy of three motorcycles carrying two passengers on each, alongside a passenger bus with registration number Anambra NNE 725 ZG carrying passengers, and displaying in front of the bus, a belated burial poster of late Mrs. Bridget Chine Nwadiozor dated 22/10/2021.

“They were flagged down for routine search. On seeing the date on the belated poster, the Police operatives became suspicious and alert. After searching the passengers on the motorcycles and nothing incriminating was seen, they went to the bus.

“In the bid of searching the passengers in the bus, one of them pulled out a Berretta Pistol and in an attempt to shoot at the police operatives, he was neutralized, which led to a shoot out.

“In the process, one of the suspects, Odedira Ezuala ‘m’ aged 23yrs, a native of Umudike Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, was arrested while others including the motorcyclists escaped with bullet wounds.

“The following items were recovered to the station, which includes: one Police Special Berretta Pistol with breach No.90005 and 10 rounds of live ammunition. one Bus Imo with Reg. No. Anambra NNE 725 ZG and a belated Burial Poster.

“The corpse of the neutralized bandit has been deposited in the mortuary, while the arrested suspect is undergoing interrogation and had made useful statements to the police, adding that he had also volunteered to assist the police in the arrest of his gang members who escaped.”