Armed robbers kill retired ASP, wife in Imo

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Sunday night shot dead a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police identified as Mr Sampson Owobo and his wife in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

Owobo is said to hail from Edo State.

The unfortunate incident which reportedly happened around 8pm beside the Chisco Transport company office caused palpable tension in the area.

This medium gathered that the criminal elements who operated in a vehicle were trying to rob the couple who run a Point Of Sale–POS business of their money.

When the three-man gang could not succeed in snatching the bag of money, they shot the retired ASP on his forehead.

His wife was also shot at her left-hand side, close to her chest at a closed range.

While the husband died on the spot, his wife was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, by policemen where she was declared 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 the fire Service on Egbu Road-Owerri, a source familiar with the attack said.

“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 forehead, closed to his eyes. They shot his wife on a close range 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.

“The 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.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman of Imo State police command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killing of the couple and also disclosed that the police in the state were on the trail of the fleeing suspects.

“The murder of the couple is highly condemnable. The CP frowns at the killing of the couple and he has immediately ordered an investigation into their killings with the mandate to apprehend the fleeing criminals.” Okoye said.

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