A police inspector identified as Henry Effiong, attached to the Imo State Police Command, has been gruesomely murdered while on guard duty at the residence of the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Bar Rex Anunobi, in New Owerri, Imo State.
The police inspector was reportedly killed by unknown assailants who also stole his service rifle and other personal belongings.
According to a police situation report obtained by SaharaReporters, the incident occurred at the commissioner’s residence located at No. 1 Sokom Villa Area E, New Owerri, on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The report stated that the commissioner contacted the police at about 8:00 a.m. after his housekeeper, identified as Solomon Uzobu, alerted him at about 7:00 a.m. that the police inspector deployed to his residence for guard duty had been murdered.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), New Owerri Police Division, reportedly mobilised officers to the residence, where preliminary investigations were conducted.
The police said the inspector was found murdered in his room, with his legs tied and his body positioned towards the bathing area.
A sharp object, suspected to be a machete, was allegedly used to kill him.
The police report also raised suspicion against a security guard attached to the residence, identified as Genesis, a native of Taraba State, who allegedly conspired with unknown assailants to gain access to the premises.
According to the report, investigators suspect that the security guard may have facilitated access to the residence, allowing the assailants to enter and attack the police inspector.
The security guard was said to have fled the residence shortly after the incident.
The police further alleged that Genesis packed his belongings, switched off his mobile phone and absconded from the area together with the suspected assailants.
His disappearance has reportedly heightened suspicion surrounding his possible involvement in the killing.
The police said an empty magazine and a walkie-talkie were recovered from the scene and handed over to the Area Commander, Operations (AC Ops), for further investigation.
The service rifle reportedly assigned to the murdered inspector was allegedly taken away by the assailants.
His mobile handset was also reportedly stolen.
The corpse of the deceased police inspector was evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital for preservation and further necessary procedures.
The police said efforts were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder, identify and arrest the suspected killers, locate the fleeing security guard and recover the stolen police firearm.
The command said further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.