Tension in Imo as Gunmen Kidnap Prominent Traditional Ruler

• There is tension in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state, as gunmen kidnapped His Royal Majesty Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri
• The traditional ruler was abducted in front of his gate by the gunmen on Saturday morning, January 6
• It was gathered that the monarch, the former chairman of traditional rulers in the state, was in discussion with his brother when the gunmen attacked

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy.

Imo state - The immediate past chairman of the Imo state traditional rulers’ council, His Royal Majesty, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Ohiri was reportedly kidnapped at the front gate of his compound in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state, at about 8:30am on Saturday, January 6, Vanguard reported.

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According to an eyewitness, the gunmen also abducted Ohiri’s brother, a United States-based businessman.

“This Saturday morning, Ohiri and his brother from the United States, decided to drive out in their car in the spirit of the Christmas celebration to visit some of their friends. After their visit, they returned.

“As they arrived at Ohiri’s compound; They packed their vehicle, at one side of the compound, and as they both of them were having the final discussion before they could say bye to each other. A highlander vehicle filled with gunmen double-crossed them and shot sporadically. They dragged both of them into the vehicle and drove away. They drove toward the Njaba to Orlu road.”

Another eyewitness said Ohiri’s brother, Solomon, struggled and escaped from the kidnappers.

Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Imo

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that a Catholic priest, Rev Fr Kingsley Eze, popularly known as Father Ichie, was kidnapped alongside another person identified as Uchenna Newman by unknown gunmen.

Father Ichie is the priest in charge of St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish in Umuekebi, Osuoweerre autonomous community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state.

It was gathered that the priest and Newman, who drove the priest in a Volvo jeep, were kidnapped at Orieama Junction around 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 30.

Unknown assailants gun down Imo monarch

Eze Joe Ochulor, the traditional ruler of the Otulu community in the Ezinihitte Mbaise local government area (LGA) of Imo state, was killed by unknown gunmen.

The Imo monarch, who some unknown gunmen kidnaped on Saturday morning, November 25, was reportedly killed in the evening.

A source said the monarch’s body was discovered on the roadside at the Mbutu community in the neighbouring Aboh Mbaise LGA.

Source: Legit.ng