The Imo State Police Command has said it gunned down a suspected gunman during a gun duel on the Owerri-Onitsha Road last Thursday.
Commissioner of Police (CP) in Imo, Rabiu Hussaini, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement by Mike Abattam, spokesman for the command.
He stated that the shootout occurred at about 3.01pm during a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint on Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Hussaini said: “The ever gallant police command’s tactical teams were on a vigorous and aggressive stop-and-search operation along the Owerri/Onitsha Road, when suspected gunmen masquerading as persons mourning, going for a burial ceremony somewhere in the state, approached the police checkpoint 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 the late Mrs Bridget Chine Nwadiozor dated 22/10/2021.”
He said the people were flagged down for routine search and it was later discovered that they were carrying a belated burial poster on the bus which raised the police’s suspicion.
“On seeing the date on the 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 neutralised which led to a shoot out.
” In the process, one of the suspects, Odedira Ezuala aged 23yrs, a native of Umudike Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, was arrested while others including the motorcyclists escaped with bullet wounds.”
He listed the items recovered to include one Police Special Berretta Pistol with breach No.90005 and 10 rounds of live ammunition, one Bus with Reg. No. Anambra NNE 725 ZG and one belated burial poster.
“The corpse of the neutralized bandit has been deposited in the mortuary while the arrested suspect is currently undergoing interrogation and has made a useful statement to the police. Also, he has volunteered to assist the police in the arrest of his gang members that escaped,” Hussaini added.
