Assailants Kill Police
The Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police arrests two suspects over the killing of a police inspector on duty in Owerri, the state capital
By Jude Nzennaya
Tragedy struck in New Owerri, Imo State, as a Police Inspector, Henry Effiong, attached to the Imo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barrister Rex Anunobi, was killed by suspected assailants at the Commissioner’s residence.
The incident occurred at the residence located behind the Imo Concorde Hotel, New Owerri.
According to reports, the attack happened between the night of Sunday, September 13 and the early hours of Monday, September 14, 2026, while the officer was on guard duty. The lifeless body of the Inspector was later discovered in his room with his legs tied. His service rifle and mobile phone were reportedly taken away by the assailants.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the late Inspector had a prior misunderstanding with some security guards within the residential area. However, police say the circumstances surrounding the disagreement and whether it is linked to the killing have not been officially established.
A security guard identified as Genesis, who reportedly fled the area after the incident, is currently being sought by the Police on suspicion of conspiracy and aiding access to the property.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to the murder.
In a statement issued on September 16, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, the Command said the suspects were arrested shortly after the incident was reported.
The suspects are Olivia Patrick 31 and ThankGod Maurice 25. Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, (CP) Audu Garba Bosso, directed a thorough investigation into the matter.
In compliance, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) alongside the DPO, New Owerri Division, visited the scene, conducted necessary examinations and recovered relevant exhibits. The remains of the deceased officer have been deposited at the mortuary.
The case has been transferred to the SCID for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects at large.
Bosso has directed the investigating team to ensure anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the risks and sacrifices police officers face in the line of duty.
He commiserated with the family of the late Inspector and assured that justice will be served.
The Command further assured residents that the situation is under control and that adequate security measures have been put in place to safeguard lives and property, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information to aid the investigation.
In another incident the Command arrested two suspected terrorists, dislodge their hideout, recover AK-47, grenade and other exhibits
The Imo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its investigation into the foiled attack on Agwa Police Division on August 21, 2026, and other violent crimes in Oguta Local Government Area.
During that foiled attack, a notorious kingpin identified as Chiemela, alias Disaster, was neutralized. Sustained follow-up investigations have now led to the arrest of suspected accomplices and the dislodgement of a criminal hideout at Ubah Agwa in Oguta LGA.
According to a statement by the Command, on September 15, 2026, at 4:20pm, operatives arrested one Jones Okechukwu Anyim 29 of Umuokijo, Mgbala Agwa, Oguta LGA. His arrest followed intelligence and confessions obtained from one Happiness Uche 32, of Ubah Agwa.
Acting on the information, operatives of the Command in collaboration with the DPO, Agwa Division and his team stormed the suspected hideout at Ubah Agwa.
On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the Police, forcing them to flee into the bush. Some of the fleeing suspects are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.
A search of an abandoned uncompleted bungalow at the location led to the recovery of the following exhibits include one AK-47 rifle without visible identification number, two AK-47 magazines loaded with 52 rounds of live ammunition, one hand grenade and four military uniforms, as well five police uniforms bearing name tags.
Others are three Biafra flags, six Biafra-regalia uniforms, three ESN-marked uniforms and four ESN-marked berets, various ATM cards believed to belong to different victims, various denominations of currency bearing Biafran inscriptions and foreign currencies, as well as enlarged photographs of an unidentified person and objects suspected to be ritual materials.
The hideout has been dislodged and secured, while efforts have been intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects. The arrested suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
Bosso, commended the operatives for their courage and professionalism and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information to the Police, while assuring that further developments will be communicated as investigation progresses.
