One killed as police intercept gunmen disguised as mourners in Imo

The Imo state police command says its officers killed a gunman who disguised as a mourner going for a burial in the state.

The command, in a statement by Mike Abattam, its spokesman, said the deceased was among other gunmen intercepted by the force at a checkpoint along Owerri/Onitsha road on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the suspects were travelling in a convoy of three motorcycles and a bus bearing burial posters of one Bridget Chine Nwadiozor.

The command said it stopped the procession for a routine search and became suspicious when it noticed the burial date, October 22, was long overdue.

It said in an attempt by officers to search the bus among the convoy, one of the passengers tried to shoot at the police officer but was killed.

It added that one of the suspects was arrested while the others escaped during a shootout with the police.

“The suspected gunmen masquerading as persons mourning, going for burial ceremony somewhere in the state, approached the Police check point in a convoy of three motorcycles carrying two passengers on each, alongside a passenger bus with registration number Anambra NNE 725 ZG carrying passengers, and displaying in front of the bus, a belated burial poster of late Mrs. Bridget Chine Nwadiozor dated 22/10/2021,” the statement reads.

“They 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 shoot at the police operatives, he was neutralized, which led to a shoot 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: one Police Special Berretta Pistol with breach No.90005 and 10 rounds of live ammunition. one Bus Imo with Reg. No. Anambra NNE 725 ZG and a belated Burial Poster.

The police said the corpse of the deceased has been deposited in a mortuary, while the arrested suspect is undergoing interrogation.