The Umueze Nguru community in Imo State was thrown into confusion on Wednesday night as gunmen kidnapped the traditional ruler of the town located in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Eze Charles Iroegbu.
It was gathered that many chiefs were also kidnapped along with the monarch, causing palpable tension among residents of the community.
Naija News understands the king and some of his cabinet chiefs were returning from Mbano where they went to attend a traditional wedding ceremony when the gunmen stopped their vehicles and kidnapped them.
“His Highness and his cabinet chiefs were on the back from a traditional wedding ceremony in Mbano when they were kidnapped. This is unbelievable and there is fear and panic everywhere,” a source told Punch about the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, it is understood that the kidnappers are yet to establish contact or make any demand.
The kidnapped monarch is said to be the owner and Chief Executive Officer of All States Mass Transit.
When contacted, the Imo State Police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that he could not confirm the abduction.
However, Naija News reports that Police facilities in Imo State have been under series of attacks since Monday, raising concerns across the country.
On Thursday morning, it was reported that Mbieri Divisional Police Headquarters in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state was attacked by gunmen.
Before then, the State Police Command Headquarters in Imo as well as the correctional center both in Owerri the state capital came under heavy attacks.
In other news, Chairman Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, has asked the federal government to rehabilitate bandits who are willing to repent.
Speaking at the Northern people’s summit in Kaduna on Wednesday, Abdullahi said rehabilitating repented bandits would go a long way in curbing attacks in the North.
He noted that the government should grant amnesty to repented bandits just like it did for those Niger Delta militants who repented and were trained.
Abdullahi, however, asked the government to only go after bandits who do not want to desist from crime and want to continue attacking lives and properties.