Armed men kill police inspector inside commissioner’s residence

Some armed men have invaded a commissioner’s residence in Imo State, south east Nigeria, killing a police inspector on guard duty there.

The incident, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, occurred on Monday morning in Owerri, the state capital.

The police inspector, Henry Effiong, was guarding the residence of the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Rex Anunobi, when the hoodlums attacked and killed him.

Sources said the armed men first disarmed the inspector, snatched rifle rifle as well as his phones before killing him.

Police speak

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, did not, however, mention the name of the slain inspector.

He said that upon receiving the report of the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, directed an investigation into it.

He said the investigation was to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and then track down the attackers.

“In compliance with the directive, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), alongside the DPO, New Owerri Division, visited the scene, where necessary examinations were conducted and relevant exhibits recovered and secured.

“The remains of the deceased inspector were subsequently deposited at the mortuary,” he said.

Mr Okoye said Mr Bosso has commiserated with the family of the deceased inspector and assured them that the command would track down all the attackers.

“The incident is a painful reminder of the risks and sacrifices police officers face in the discharge of their duties,” he said.

READ ALSO: Suspected herders kill vigilante operative, one other in Imo

Arrest of suspects

Mr Okoye announced that the police have arrested two people allegedly linked to the killing of the inspector.

“The suspects, Olivia Patrick, male, aged 31, and ThankGod Mourice, male, aged 25, were arrested at the scene shortly after the incident was reported,” he said.

The spokesperson said the matter had been transferred to the SCID for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

He assured residents of Imo State that the police command was on top of the situation, stressing that appropriate security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property across the state.

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation,” he appealed.