By Kamsi Anayo
Rampaging gunmen have killed two policemen at Okpala junction, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.
The criminals also abducted Rev. Fr Jude Kingsley Maduka, the parish priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinnachi/Ugwaku, Okigwe LGA, of the state,
Fr. Maduka who was ordained on September 22, 2012 was kidnapped from his new adoration ground in Ogii village, Chancellor/Secretary of Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Rev. Fr Iwuanyanwu said on Saturday.
“He was kidnapped from his New Adoration site at Ogii Village in Okigwe LGA while on inspection at the new site,”
“We solicit your fervent prayers that he may come back to us safe and sound,” he added.
The kidnap happened on the same day gunmen attacked a police checkpoint located at Okpala Junction along Owerri/Aba Road, Ngor Okpala council area of Imo state.
The incident, which happened early hours Saturday, 20th May, 2023, left two policemen dead and many others injured.
An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen came in their numbers and opened fire on the police officers who were on road-block morning stop-and-search duty.
A traveler who passed through the road confirmed to our correspondent that two police officers were killed while he saw one who was injured.
He said; “I saw the liveless body while coming to work this morning. Two killed and one injured inside police van”.
Police spokesman for the Imo State command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the murder of two policemen.
He told journalists that the police operatives engaged the gunmen in a shootout and seized one of their operational vehicles.