Gunmen Murder Retired Police Officer And His Wife In Imo

Gunmen suspected of being robbers murdered retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sampson Owobo and his wife in Owerri, Imo State’s capital.

The event occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2023, near the Chisco Transport firm office, quite close to the Owerri Area police command office along Egbu Road-Owerri.

According to an eyewitness, the three gunmen in a vehicle were attempting to rob the couple who run a Point of Sale business of their bag holding an unspecified sum of money.

They shot the retired ASP in the forehead at close range after they both objected. His wife was also shot at close range on her left side, near to her chest.

While Mr Owobo died on the scene, his wife was transported by police to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, where she was confirmed dead.

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“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 witness narrated.

“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 ranges.

“They shot the man at close 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 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.”

The State Police Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the couple’s death and revealed that police in the state were on the trail of the fleeing suspects.