Gunmen assassinate retired police officer, wife in Imo

Three gunmen have reportedly shot dead a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Sampson Owobo in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Newsmen gathered that Owobo, who hails from Edo State, is a former assistant superintendent of police.

The ugly incident, which occurred on Sunday night at about 8 pm outside the Chisco Transport office near the Owerri Area Police Command Office, threw locals and business owners into confusion.

Residents hurried inside to shut doors leading to their flats, while business owners fled the area.

According to an eyewitness, the escaping suspected armed robbers, who operated in a vehicle, were allegedly attempting to take the couple’s bag containing an undisclosed quantity of money from them.

The eyewitness disclosed that the retired ASP was shot at close range in the forehead after the three-man gang failed to take the bag of cash.

“His wife was also shot at a close range, at her left side, near her chest.

“While the wife was taken by cops to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where she was later confirmed dead, the husband passed away right there.

“The armed thieves were attempting to snatch a bag containing cash while brandishing pump action rifles. The couple sells bread, and operates a POS business,” the source disclosed.

When reached, Henry Okoye, the spokesman for the State’s police command, confirmed the couple’s murder.

“The couple’s murder is strongly condemned. The CP disapproves of the couple’s murder, and he has promptly launched an investigation into it with the goal of catching the eluding offenders,” Okoye stated.