Tension mounts as gunmen invade Imo Communities, kidnap traditional rulers

 

Barely 3days after the traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Edwin Azike was kidnapped and killed, another yet to be identified gunmen on Sunday wreaked havoc on communities in Imo State, kidnapping two traditional rulers.

The Sunday attack according to eyewitnesses affected Acho Ndukwe of Amagu Ihube and Paul Ogbu of Ihitte Ihube, all in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

KHORGIST gathered that the gunmen burnt the monarchs’ palaces and vehicles while carrying out the operations and also kidnapped the youth leader of Umulolo Okigwe.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen also invaded the country home of a community leader in Umulolo- Okigwe, Fabian Nwosu, and vandalized his house after kidnapping the monarchs and youth leader.

A community source told KHORGIST that the operation happened between 12 midnight and 1 is on Sunday.

According to the source ” it was something else in the early hours of Sunday. The gunmen came in Hilux vehicles and kidnapped the two monarchs and burnt their palaces and vehicles. They also kidnapped the youth leader of Umuololo- Okigwe.

“The invaders also went to the house of one Fabian Nwosu, on meeting his presence, they vandalized his house.”

Another source described one of the kidnapped monarchs, Acho Ndukwe as a popular and well-to-do king.

He said Ndukwe is the chairman of the Council of Traditional rulers in Okigwe LGA and also the owner of the popular Genesis hotel, Okigwe. Nobody can understand the rationale behind the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in the state, Micheal Abattam, said the command had commenced investigation into the incident.