Gunmen shoot police sergeant dead in Imo, escape with his riffle

Suspected gunmen on Tuesday shot dead a sergeant identified as Christian Nnamani, in Owerri, Imo State capital.

The hoodlums, who made away with the AK47 rifle belonging to the slain policeman, also shot a passerby.

The incident was said to have happened around 9pm on Tuesday at Control post Roundabout, opposite Assumpta Catholic Church, Owerri archdiocesan Cathedral headquarters.

This came barely 24 hours after a popular Catholic Church priest, Rev. Fr Jude Egbom, and one other person were murdered by unknown gunmen in Nkwerre, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, said that after killing the sergeant, the criminals fled with his rifle.

The police spokesperson also said a passerby, who was hit by stray bullets from the hoodlums was rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where he was being attended to.

Enwerem said, “It is true, we lost a police sergeant last night (Tuesday). Sergeant Christian Nnamani attached to mobile police 18 Owerri was on a stop-and-search duty with his colleagues at Control post junction Owerri when the incident happened.

“On sighting the sergeant, who was the last guard man, the hoodlums who were in a green car shot him dead and made away with his AK 47 rifle.

“A passerby was equally hit by the bullets. He was quickly rushed to the Federal Medical Center – Owerri, where he is being attended to.

“We are on the trail of the criminals. The commissioner of police who is pained by the death of the officer has activated the Tactical Units of the command to go after the fleeing criminals. I assure you that we will get them,” Enwerem added.