The peace recorded in Imo State during the Christmas and New Year celebrations was, on Saturday morning, shattered when gunmen abducted the immediate past Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri. The abduction marks the beginning of, perhaps, another round of siege on Imo Traditional Rulers who have been easy preys for gunmen.
Eze Ohiri, the Traditional Ruler of Orodo in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area, was abducted in his Palace along with his younger brother, identified as Solomon, who returned from his base in the United States of America to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays with family. Unconfirmed reports, however, said that as the gunmen dragged the two into their operational Highlander vehicle, Solomon struggled with them and managed to escape.
Eye witnesses say that the incident took place around 8.30am just as the two men, who had gone out on a visit to a couple of people, returned. As they drove into the Palace, and stepped down, from their car, a Toyota Highlander drove in and blocked them. And, within a twinkle of an eye, the gunmen, whose number is unknown, jumped out, grabbed the two men, and dragged them into their operational vehicle.
The gunmen has made no contact with the family at the time of filing this report. Nor has the Imo State Police Command which Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, told Reporters he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
In as many months, Traditional Rulers in the State have been targets of gunmen who abduct them for, either to make money, or gruesome killing. The most recent was HRH Eze Ochulor of Amumara, Mbaise, Ezinihitte LGA, who was abducted, and killed a few hours after his abduction. His abductors cut off one of his legs and dumped his body on the roadside.
Ohiri was the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers under the Government of Senator Rochas Okorocha.
