Imo: Police Intercept Gunmen Disguised As Mourners, Kill One

Gunmen disguised as mourners have been intercepted by operatives of the Imo State police command during a routine patrol along the Owerri-Onitsha road.

The command, in a statement on Saturday, said its operatives arrested one and killed another during a stop and search exercise on Wednesday.

Three motorcycles and a bus conveying the gunmen were reportedly bearing burial posters.

The command’s spokesperson, Michael Abattam, said the police operatives suspected that something was not right when they discovered that the burial posters were belated.

The bus with registration number Anambra NNE 725 ZG carrying passengers, had the burial poster of one late Mrs. Bridget Chine Nwadiozor and dated 22/10/2021.

Abattam said, “They (the suspects) 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 shot at the police operatives, he was neutralized which led to a shot 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:
(a) One (1) Police Special Berretta Pistol with breach No.90005 and Ten (10) rounds of live ammunition.
(b) One (1) Bus Imo with Reg. No. Anambra NNE 725 ZG.
(c) One (1) belated Burial Poster.

“Meanwhile, the corpse of the neutralized bandit has been deposited in the Mortuary while the arrested suspect is presently undergoing interrogation and has made useful statement to the police. Also, he has volunteered to assist the police in the arrest of his gang members that escaped,” he said.