A yet-to-be identified gunmen, on Friday, October 4, 2024, stormed Umunze, a major Anambra Community bordering Imo and Abia States.
The gunmen reportedly kidnapped the President-General of the Umunze Progressive Union in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ezekiel Iheazor, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Nze Ike Okoli.
The unfortunate incident, according to eyewitness account, took place at Nze Okoli’s residence in Lomu village during the Friday downpour.
The hoodlums were seen and heard shooting heavily and sporadically into the air in the early hours of the day.
Apparently aided by the sporadic gunfire and the heavy rain, they succeeded in gaining access into the premises of Okoli and abducted both men.
They reportedly escaped in a Highlander SUV they had come with. No word has come from the abductors so far.
The family of the victims disclosed that the hoodlums abandoned the vehicles of their victims at the venue, apparently for fear of being successfully tracked.
A middle-aged man simply addressed as “Chief”, said: “It is true. Our PG and one other person were kidnapped.
“Today is Nkwo, our main market day, and it has been raining heavily.
“We heard loud gunshots, but no one came out due to the rain.
“After the rain subsided, we reached out to friends near the market, and they confirmed nothing had happened there.
“Soon after, a community leader broke the sad news to some of us.
“At the scene of the crime, Iheazor’s car was found abandoned at Okoli’s home, heightening the tension as residents grappled with the shocking development.
“So far, there has been no word from the abductors”, he added.
The Anambra State Police command through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development when contacted.
He noted that “the Command has received the information and has put measures in place to get more facts on the incident for possible rescue.”
He assured that Police have initiated intense manhunt, combing the area with a view to arresting the gunmen soon.
SP Ikenga assured also that “further development shall be communicated”.