BREAKING: Pandemonium as gunmen kill retired policeman, wife in Imo

On Sunday night, a tragic incident occurred in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, as three gunmen fatally shot a married couple identified as Mr and Mrs Sampson Owobo.

The Owobos, with roots in Edo State, were targeted near the Chisco Transport company office, which is located in close proximity to both the Owerri Area Police Command office and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters on Egbu Road-Owerri. This incident, which unfolded around 8 pm, brought about a state of confusion among local residents and business proprietors.

In response to the gunfire, residents promptly sought refuge by retreating into their homes and securing their entrances, while business owners swiftly closed their shops and hurried back to their residences.

According to an anonymous witness, the assailants, attempting to seize the couple’s bag of money, were in the midst of a robbery operation. The Owobos were proprietors of a Point Of Sale (POS) business as well as bread sellers. When the three robbers were unable to successfully steal the money bag, they resorted to violence.

The retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Sampson Owobo, was shot at point-blank range in the forehead area, near his eyes. Similarly, his wife suffered a gunshot wound on her left side, close to her chest.

Tragically, Mr. Owobo lost his life immediately due to the severity of his injuries, whereas his wife was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri by law enforcement officers. Regrettably, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The eyewitness narrated, “Three armed individuals have just killed a husband and his wife. This incident occurred near the Chisco Transport company office, which is in close proximity to the Owerri Police Area Command headquarters and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters, located on Egbu Road-Owerri. The armed robbers were armed with pump-action rifles and were attempting to steal a bag of money.

The couple, who operated a POS business and sold bread, were shot at close range when the robbers were unable to take the money bag. The husband was shot in the forehead area, near his eyes, at close range. The wife was also shot at close range, on her left side, very near her chest. The husband died on the spot, and the bleeding wife was pronounced dead at the FMC-Owerri.”

The deceased husband, Sampson Owobo, had served as a police officer and retired about five years prior with the rank of ASP.

Henry Okoye, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the couple’s murder and revealed that the police were actively pursuing the suspects. Okoye stated, “The killing of the couple is deeply reprehensible. The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the couple’s murder and has promptly initiated an investigation into their deaths. The authorities are committed to apprehending the culprits who fled the scene.”