Hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers recently threw the residents of Orji suburb of Owerri capital metropolis of Imo State into mourning mood when they raided a fuel station, killing two vigilante men and three others critically injured.
It was gathered that the hoodlums numbering three on a motorbike, robbed the fuel station at about 2.30pm of the fateful day and opened fire on the unsuspecting local security team who went to re-fill their vehicle with AK- 47 riffle stacked in a bag.
The vigilante driver and team leader, including an unidentified tricycle operator (Keke) were shot dead before fleeing away. Hoodlums have routinely terrorized residents, vandalized shops, carted away cash and valuables amounting to over Nl0million.
Reacting, a community leader Barr. Chima Anozie who recalled that the inhabitants were thrown into mourning mood and confusion, praised the vigilante for shooting one of the robbers that escaped with bullet wound.
Adding that Orji is prone to criminals due to its numerous exit routes and called for restriction of free plying of Okadas along Orji/Okigwe road to checkmate their activities.
Lending his voice, former President-General of Orji, Okenze Alexander Anozie sympathized with the victim’s family and urged government to beef up security in the area to avoid reoccurrence.
Traditional ruler of Orji Autonomous community, Eze Innocent Opara said the robbers after looting, their target sighted the approaching vigilante men that came to buy fuel and opened fire, killing two, while the vigilante gallantly rescued themselves. He solicited government’s approval to ban motorbikes from entering into Orji major routes as any bike carrying more than one person will be tagged a suspect.
However, when contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Mr. Andrew Enwerem confirmed the incident, stating that the police are on the trail of the robbers.
