Imo Monarch, Eze Amadi, Escapes Death From Gunmen, Kidnappers Strip Women Nak€d

By Charles Igbo

But for the bravery of his driver, His Royal Highness, Eze Emeka Amadi, the Traditional Ruler of Okolochi, Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, could either have been dead, or in the hands of kidnappers by now.

Eze Amadi miraculously escaped the gunmen on Friday afternoon while on his way back to his Community.

An eye witness account said that the incident took place along the road between Ihiagwa and the Eze’s Community, Okolochi.

While they were driving home, his “eagle-eyed” driver suddenly noticed that the gunmen have blocked the road. Faced with a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, he took the risk. Using his skill, he accelerated and drove through the hoodlums who, in disbelief, jumped away from the road.

One of them, however, was not that lucky as he was hit and knocked down by the Eze’s car, thanks to the courageous action of the driver.

This medium was not able to confirm if the hoodlums managed to take away their colleague, but as they escaped, they rained bullets on the Eze’s car. Mercifully, even though he was brushed by bullets, he survived the attack, and, is currently in an undisclosed hospital.

But, not yet done, as the hoodlums escaped, they met some women on their way back from their farms. To humiliate them, they forced them to strip naked and sprawl full length on the ground. However, the quick intervention of angry  youths, hunters and vigilante members who mobilized to the scene, saved the women from any further molestation as the hoodlums ran away with the youths and local hunters on their trail.

Narrated an eye witness who put the story out:

“HRH Eze Emeka Amadi of Okolochi Autonomous Community narrowly escaped death after his vehicle was sprayed by bullet some few hours ago on the Okolochi- Ihiagwa road.

“The driving skill of his driver who took the risk to stump on the kidnappers, knocking down one with the rest scampering into the bush (saved the day). They later shot sporadically at his car with a bullet brushing him. He is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Not done yet, these marauders attacked some women returning from the farm ordering them to remove  their clothes. They  were told to lay down naked on the ground . They were rescued after combined youths from Okolochi  initiated a counterattack.

“The youths, hunters, and their vigilante team have initiated a thorough combing of the adjoining forest with a view to apprehending the marauders.

“We have put our security team on red alert and urged caution on movements.

We are living in dangerous times as Oche appears to be under siege.”

In his reaction, Sir Ernest Amadi, the Eze’s brother who resides in the United States of America, said:

“This dastardly attack happened this  Friday  afternoon when HRH Eze C.C. Amadi was traveling along Okolochi and Ihiagwa town link road.

“Thank God he escaped through the bravery hands of his driver, who took a leap of faith and drove  through the assassins/ kidnappers.

“Right now, my brother is recovering from some bruises and some wounds.

“Please let’s watch and pray for our communities to overcome this state of seige that has bought fear and apprehension in our community.  God bless.

Sir. Ernest Amadi”

The forests and bushes in most parts of Owerri West have, sadly, become the abode for kidnappers. In recent times, the Police and local hunters successfully conducted  raids in the bushes and forests. Some arrests were made during the raids while, at least, five decomposed bodies of victims were discovered.