A policeman attached to the Imo State Police Command, Cosmas Ugwu, has been shot dead by his girlfriend.
Ugwu was killed on Tuesday, Dec. 26, by his 23-year-old girlfriend, who was identified as Amanda Uchechi Ugo, a native of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was gathered from reliable sources that the incident occurred around 6:30pm on Boxing Day at the Ezinihitte Area Command.
The deceased had a fight with his girlfriend in the room at the police station, and in the course of the altercation, the girl reached for the deceased’s rifle, pulled the trigger and shot him three times.
Officers on counter duty were said to have run for cover when they heard three gunshots from the room being occupied by the deceased officer.
A source said on Thursday: “When police officers ran into the room later to see what was going on, they found Corporal Ugwu lying in a pool of his blood. The girl shot him three times in his chest and his left hand. He was rushed immediately to Evergreen Hospital in Ezinihitte, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.”
“It was like a movie,” the source added.
“Nobody actually knows what went wrong between the two, but how the girl was able to use a police rifle successfully is still a surprise to many. Maybe, Ugwu was the one who taught her.”
The remains of the slain officer have been deposited at the Obizi mortuary while further investigation continues.
The suspect is in police custody.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, saying the police were doing everything to ascertain what really transpired.
“Yes, the incident happened. We are doing everything to ensure we investigate the matter, to ascertain the fact and possibly arraign the suspect in court,” Okoye said.