A retired police officer and his wife were tragically shot and killed during a robbery at their point-of-sale (PoS) business in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, Nigeria. The assailants reportedly targeted the couple after shooting them dead.
The incident occurred at around 8 pm beside the Chisco Transport company office, which is located very close to the Owerri Area Police Command and Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters. The shocking incident left residents and business owners in a state of confusion and fear.
According to an eyewitness, the armed robbers, who were fleeing in a vehicle, attempted to rob the couple who operated a PoS business and were carrying a bag of money. When they were unable to snatch the bag, they resorted to violence. The retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was shot at close range in the forehead, while his wife was shot in the left-hand side, close to her chest.
The eyewitness described the incident: Three armed men just killed a husband and his wife. This incident happened close to the Chisco Transport company office which is very close to Owerri Police Area command headquarters and Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters, at the fire Service on Egbu Road-Owerri. The armed robbers were carrying pump action rifles and were trying to carry a bag containing money. The husband and wife run a POS business and also sell loaves of bread. When they could not succeed in carrying the bag of money, they shot the couple at close range. They shot the man on a close range at his forehead, close to his eyes. They shot his wife at a close range too, at her left-hand side, very close to her chest. While the man died immediately, his wife who was bleeding profusely was pronounced dead at FMC-Owerri.
The victims were identified as Sampson Owobo, a retired ASP from Edo State, who had been out of the police force for about five years. The armed robbers fled the scene and are currently at large. The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the murder of the couple and assured the public that the police are actively pursuing the fleeing suspects.
This shocking crime has highlighted the need for increased security measures in the area. The proximity of the incident to police headquarters has raised concerns among residents and business owners, who now fear for their safety. The Imo State Police must work diligently to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore a sense of security within the community.
The loss of this retired police officer and his wife is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by business owners and the urgent need to enhance security measures to protect innocent lives. The local community mourns their loss and hopes that swift action will be taken to prevent such heinous crimes in the future.
