There was pandemonium in the Okigwe Local Government Council Area of Imo State in the early hours of Sunday as some bandits reportedly kidnapped the traditional rulers of Amagu Ihube Autonomous Community, Eze Acho Ndukwe; and his counterpart at the Ihitte Ihube Autonomous Community, Eze Paul Ogbu.
The gunmen were said to have burnt the palaces of the two traditional rulers during the attacks.
It was gathered that following the incidents, some villagers abandoned their homes as a result of fear of further attacks.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Imo State Command, Mike Abattam, said that the police had commenced investigation on the matter.
There were hints in some quarters that “There are collaborators within and outside the affected communities and we are gradually identifying them.”
A community leader who spoke anonymously, said that “All I can tell the security agencies is that they should intensify monitoring along the Arondiuzogu Road in Okigwe Local Government Council Area of the state.”
Another resident of the community
said, “Some hours ago, somebody told me that one of the families of the affected monarchs have established contact with the abductors and I was told that they demanded N20 million.
“They kidnapped the monarchs and burnt their palaces. They came in three vehicles and two motorcycles. The motorcyclists, I guess, were the ones leading them in and out of the communities.”
A government source said, “As I am talking to you now, we are in a serious meeting with top government officials. This ugly trend is targeted at monarchs.”
