The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command has shot dead a dismissed sergeant, Martins Nwoke, for alleged involvement in several kidnap cases, according to Punch.
Nwoke and one other were shot dead on Saturday at Hospital Junction, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, during a gun duel with the SARS operatives.
Southern City News gathered that the dismissed cop had gone to the area to sell a vehicle they snatched from one of their kidnapped victims.
A police source said, “At Hospital Junction, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, SARS operatives, led by their commander, Godfrey Victor, while on a tip-off, engaged two kidnappers and armed robbers in a gun duel.
“The two suspects fell to the superior firepower of the police. An ash coloured Toyota Camry with number plate, LSD 857 FR, suspected to have been robbed from a kidnap victim, was recovered.
“Also recovered were one locally-made pistol, two expended and one live cartridge, and charms of various types. It is important to note that these two deceased suspects had been on our wanted list in cases of kidnapping and armed robberies.
“The dead suspects came into Imo State trying to sell the car at a give-away price. Our men closed in on them and immediately they saw us, they opened fire on us; but we overpowered them.”
Punch correspondent gathered that the dismissed sergeant just came out from prison having been sentenced for armed robbery.
“He was still living in police barracks when he was killed,” a source told our correspondent.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the development to Punch correspondent, said the state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladodo, had ordered that every member of the gang be apprehended.