On Monday evening, gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police checkpoint along the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo State, resulting in the deaths of four police officers and a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.
The attack occurred around 6:30 p.m. at a popular hotel where the checkpoint was situated in Irete, Owerri-West Local Government Area. Witnesses reported that the gunmen opened fire on the officers conducting stop-and-search duties, as well as on a female PoS operator and several pedestrians who were caught off guard. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Residents have expressed concerns about the frequent violence in the area, which has previously seen similar attacks. There are calls for increased security measures to prevent further incidents.
One local suggested that the attackers might be enforcing a Monday sit-at-home order, which was believed to have been discontinued. This incident has reignited fears among residents about the safety of traveling or conducting business on Mondays.
Attempts to contact Imo State Police Spokesman Henry Okoye for an official statement were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
