A police inspector attached to the Imo State Police Command, identified as Henry Effiong, has been killed by suspected assailants while on guard duty at the residence of the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Bar Rex Anunobi, in New Owerri.
The assailants reportedly fled with the inspector’s service rifle, mobile phone and other personal belongings following the incident.
The incident occurred on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the commissioner’s residence in No. 1 Sokom Villa Area E, New Owerri.
A police situation report on the incident stated that the commissioner was informed of the killing after his housekeeper, Solomon Uzobu, discovered that the inspector assigned to the residence had been murdered and alerted him at about 7:00 a.m.
The commissioner subsequently contacted the police around 8:00 a.m., prompting the Divisional Police Officer of the New Owerri Police Division to mobilise personnel to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly found Effiong’s body inside his room, with his legs tied and his body positioned towards the bathing area.
Preliminary findings indicated that the inspector may have been attacked with a sharp object believed to be a machete.
Investigators have also raised questions over the whereabouts of a security guard identified as Genesis, a Taraba State indigene, who was attached to the commissioner’s residence.
According to the police report, investigators suspect that the guard may have assisted the attackers in gaining access to the premises. He reportedly fled the residence after the incident.
The police said Genesis allegedly gathered his belongings, switched off his mobile phone and disappeared from the area, reportedly alongside the suspected attackers.
His disappearance has consequently become a major focus of the ongoing investigation, although the police have yet to establish his involvement in the killing.
During a search of the scene, investigators reportedly recovered an empty magazine and a walkie-talkie, which were handed over to the Area Commander, Operations, for further investigation.
The inspector’s service firearm and mobile phone were, however, said to be missing.
Effiong’s remains were subsequently evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital, where they were deposited for preservation and other necessary procedures.
The Imo State Police Command has commenced efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing, apprehend those responsible, trace the whereabouts of the fleeing security guard and recover the stolen police rifle.
The command said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
