Gunmen have killed four police operatives and one female point of sale (POS) operator in a fresh attack in the Irete community along Onitsha Road in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday.
The officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when the gunmen struck.
Witnesses reported that the attack, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., involved gunmen targeting a police checkpoint at Blossom Hotel, near the Save More Market Place.
In addition to the four police officers who were killed, the gunmen also shot and killed the female POS operator. Passersby who attempted to flee were also injured.
One witness described the scene, noting that the gunmen fired indiscriminately, causing chaos and forcing people to scatter to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
He said the area has been a repeated target for such violence, with a similar attack occurring previously that resulted in the deaths of several officers and civilians. The witness called for increased security measures to prevent further attacks.
Another witness suggested that the attackers were enforcing a Monday sit-at-home order, which had reportedly been discontinued in Imo State. The witness expressed concern that such attacks would deter people from leaving their homes on Mondays out of fear.
A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath of the attack, with the POS operator lying in a pool of blood next to her equipment and the bodies of the four police officers visible on the road—two on the ground and two inside their Hilux pickup truck.
Police spokesman Henry Okoye confirmed the incident and reported that the Imo State Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma, condemned the attack.
He said the Commissioner has deployed tactical units to track down the perpetrators, who are suspected to be members of the Proscribed IPOB/ESN.
The spokesperson added that the Commissioner emphasized the commitment to bringing those responsible to justice and acknowledged the sacrifices made by police officers in their dedication to public safety.
The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in Imo State, which, like other southeastern states in Nigeria, has experienced a rise in violence targeting security forces and government facilities.
This incident comes exactly one month after a similar attack in Okigwe Local Government Area, where six people were killed.
The Nigerian government has attributed these attacks to IPOB, a group advocating for an independent Biafra, though IPOB has consistently denied involvement in the violence.
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