Two women were killed by stray bullets when gunmen and security operatives engaged in gunfire as hoodlums attempted to burn the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters on Owerri-Okigwe Road, which is under reconstruction.
Security operatives made up of soldiers, policemen and Air Force officers engaged the hoodlums in a shootout.
The situation forced two banks in the area to close.
Customers and passersby took to their heels; vehicles fled in different directions; some drivers and passengers abandoned their vehicles and ran for dear life.
The situation caused a heavy gridlock around the city.
Stray bullets hit and killed two women in their 60s near the scene.
One of the women, a widow, who sold pap (Akamu) and Akara at Haldel Bus stop, was hit in the head.
Her corpse lay on the floor as her relatives and neighbours wailed.
The other woman sold garri at Nkwo Orji market.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the gunmen, numbering over 20, attacked the police station after blocking the expressway with their vehicles.
Elkana said security agents stopped the hoodlums from destroying the station.
Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, led an enforcement team to the scene.
Five suspects – Chigaemezu Sabastine, 26, Casmir Ibe, 36, John Chinonso, 24, Chukwudi Okoro, 28 and Alozie Daberechi, 25, were arrested. Three vehicles were recovered from them.
