Late on Sunday night, a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Sampson Owobo were fatally shot by three gunmen in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The incident took place around 8 pm near the Chisco Transport company office, in close proximity to the Owerri Area Police Command and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters situated on Egbu Road in Owerri.
The event caused panic among local residents and business owners who promptly secured their premises. According to an eyewitness, the armed robbers, who were escaping in a vehicle, attempted to rob the couple, who operated a Point of Sale (POS) business, and were carrying an undisclosed amount of money in a bag.
The distressed eyewitness recounted that when the trio of armed robbers failed in their attempt to snatch the bag of money, they resorted to shooting. The retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Owobo, was shot at close range in the forehead near his eyes, while his wife sustained a gunshot wound on her left-hand side, near her chest.
Unfortunately, Mr. Owobo died immediately at the scene, whereas his wife, bleeding profusely, was hurriedly taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri by the police, where she was later pronounced dead.
The eyewitness provided further details, noting that Mr. Sampson Owobo, originally from Edo State, had retired as an ASP about five years ago. He and his wife were engaged in both a POS business and the sale of bread. The attackers were armed with pump-action rifles during the robbery attempt. The incident occurred in close proximity to the Owerri fire service police area command headquarters and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters.
The armed robbers managed to escape and have yet to be apprehended. The situation was confirmed by the state police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, who revealed that the police were actively pursuing the suspects who had fled.
