Late on Sunday night, a tragic incident unfolded in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, as three unidentified gunmen fatally shot a couple known as Mr. and Mrs. Sampson Owobo.
Hailing from Edo State, Mr. Owobo was a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The distressing event occurred at approximately 8 pm near the Chisco Transport company office, which is situated in close proximity to both the Owerri Area Police Command office and the Owerri Urban Police Divisional headquarters along Egbu Road in the state capital. The incident sent shockwaves through the local community, leaving residents and business proprietors bewildered.
In the aftermath of the attack, residents quickly sought refuge within their homes, securing all entrances to their apartments. Business owners likewise closed their shops and sought safety in their residences.
An eyewitness who preferred not to be named recounted that the armed robbers, attempting to rob the couple who operated a point-of-sale (POS) business, targeted their bag containing an unspecified amount of money. When their robbery attempt met resistance, the armed trio resorted to violence. They shot the retired ASP at point-blank range in the forehead, near his eyes, while his wife suffered a gunshot wound on the left-hand side, close to her chest, at close range.
Tragically, the husband succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while his wife was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri by police officers. Regrettably, she was pronounced dead at the medical facility.
He said, “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.
“The armed robbers were carrying pump action rifles 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 at close range.
“They shot the man on a closed range at his forehead, close to his eyes. They shot his wife at 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 hails 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.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the murder of the couple and 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.
