Gunmen kidnap Imo traditional ruler

The immediate past chairman of the Imo state traditional rulers council, His Royal Majesty, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, has on Saturday morning, been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

The traditional ruler was said to have been abducted at the front gate of his compound  in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state , at about 08:30. His brother, Solomon Ohiri, a United States-based businessman, was also kidnapped, Vanguard reports.

According to the report, an eyewitness said: “This Saturday morning, Ohiri and his brother from the United States, decided to drive out in their car in the spirit of the Christmas celebration to visit some of their friends. After their visit, they returned.

“As they arrived at Ohiri’s compound; They packed their vehicle, at one side of the compound, and as they both of them were having the final discussion before they could say bye to each other. A highlander vehicle filled with gunmen double-crossed them and shot sporadically. They dragged both of them into the vehicle and drove away. They drove toward the Njaba to Orlu road.”

But another eyewitness, according to Vanguard, claimed that the Ohiri’s brother, Solomon, struggled and escaped from the kidnappers.