Five police officers were slain by gunmen on Friday at a checkpoint at Okpala Junction in Imo State’s Ngor Okpala Local Government Area.
They also murdered a couple from the Amankwo Okpala community named Mr. and Mrs. Chinaka Nwagu.
According to witnesses, the incident, which happened at about 8 am, caused fear among local residents and bystanders.
When gunshots were heard, many fled for safety, abruptly stopping business operations.
Three police officers were shot and killed at the scene, according to one of the witnesses, while the other two were shot and killed as they fled to a neighboring business.
Their attackers also killed a couple who owned the shop they ran into.
The eyewitness claimed after killing the policemen, the gunmen carted away their five riffles.
A source stated the police officers drove to the junction to commence stop-and-search when the gunmen stormed the area and attacked them.
Imo police spokesperson Henry Okoye said he was yet to get an official report on the incident.
