* Confirm Owerri traffic robbery
The Police in Owerri have debunked the information on social media purporting that fire gutted the State’s House of Assembly in the capital.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, described as false the video, which went viral on Sunday showing what was passed off as the assembly complex on fire.
According to him, the building, which was on fire in a social media video post, is neither the Imo State House of Assembly nor any building in Imo State.
Ikeokwu, however, confirmed Sunday’s robbery attack on motorists in Orji area of Owerri, resulting in bullet wounds to four persons.
He said victims of the attack were promptly taken to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri for treatment.
The robbery incident reportedly took place near the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters on Owerri-Okigwe Road around 10.30pm.
It was learnt that the hoodlums, who were trailing an unmarked security vehicle, double-crossed it at Orji, and opened fire on the driver.
The gunmen, according to an eyewitness account, also robbed other motorists and commuters in commercial vehicles at the same spot.
The account further said the robbers shot sporadically after the operation to scare away people, before making their escape.
“It was during the sporadic shooting that three more persons around area were hit by bullet,” the eyewitness said on condition of anonymity.
The incident caused tension and panic in the area, forcing residents and passersby to run for their lives.