Youths in Umuderi village in Isinweke community, Ihitte Uboma local government area of Imo State have burnt down a police station in the area and the local government headquarters following the shooting to death of two siblings by police officers.
The victims, a young man and his sister, Chinanu Okonkwo and Chinyere Okonkwo were killed early this morning by yet-to-be-identified police officers.
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They were said to be coming back from the hospital where Chinyere was taken for medical attention. However, police officers arrested them and took them to the station.
It was gathered that an altercation ensued between Chinanu and police officers who demanded to be released on the account that Chinyere was sick and shivering.
However, one of the police officers shot him to death instantly, while the sister also died at the station from the shock of his brother’s death.
The news of their death sparked anger in the village, as youths invaded the police station and set it ablaze. They also invaded the local government headquarters and burnt it down.
The Police Spokesperson in Imo, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident gave a different account of the incident from that of the villagers.
He said that policemen went for an arrest in the area but were attacked by the youths.
He also said that two Policemen were injured and a suspect freed by the youths.
He said it was in a bid for the policemen who he said were in danger to protect and defend themselves, that a stray bullet hit one of the youths and he later died in a hospital.
Ikeokwu said that policemen had been deployed to the station, adding that the state Commissioner of police, Narisu Muhammed, had ordered an investigation into the arson and the manslaughter incident.
