By Prince Eze
Following the gruesome killing of a couple, Mr Sampson Owobonand his wife in Owerri last Sunday, police authorities in the state have said they are on the trail of the fleeing suspected killers.
Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of Imo Command, Henry Okoye disclosed to the media that the murder of the couple is condemnable.
“The murder of the couple is highly condemnable. The CP frowns at the killing of the couple and he has immediately ordered investigation into their killings with the mandate to apprehend the fleeing criminals.” Okoye said.
Our correspondent gathered that Mr Owobo, a retired police ASP was gunned down together with his wife Sunday night around Chisco Transport Company.
The gruesome killing of Owobo, an indigene of Edo State and his wife caused panic in the area as the incident took place near the Police Area Command, which also has the Owerri Urban police Divisional headquarters at Egbu Road-Owerri, the state capital.
An eye witness who refused to have his name in print said the fleeing three man armed gang came with a vehicle and were trying to forcefully rob the deceased couple, who run a Point Of Sale (POS) business, and collect their bag that contains money.
He revealed that when Mr Owobo resisted being robbed of his money, the armed men shot the retired ASP at close range on his head. The men of the underworld also shot the wife on her left hand side, close to her chest at a close range.
Mr Owobo was said to have died on the spot, while his wife who was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, by policemen was later pronounced dead.
“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 fire Service on Egbu Road-Owerri.
”The armed robbers were carrying pump action riffles 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 on closed ranges.
“They shot the man on a closed range at his fore head, closed to his eyes. They shot his wife on a close ranged 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 man’s name is Sampson Owobo. He hailed from Edo State. He is a retired police officer. He retired with the rank of ASP. He retired about five years ago or so. They armed robbers fled and haven’t been caught. This is so bad. This crime happened very close to the Owerri fire service police area command headquarters and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters”, the apparently distraught eyewitness stated.
A lady who gave her name simply as Ngozi said told ivoices.com.ng that when the attack happened, residents around the area immediately ran inside and locked up their apartments while businesses owners hurriedly locked up their shops and ran away.
