Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Imo Traditional Council Chair

Some unidentified gunmen yesterday kidnapped a former chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Samuel Ohiri.

Ohiri was kidnapped from his residence in Orodo Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state and taken away by the gunmen, reports said.

The monarch is the traditional ruler of Orodo and served as the chairman of the council under the administration of former Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

When contacted by our correspondent, the spokesman for the state police command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development.

He stated that the state police had commenced a search operation for the monarch and assured all that the traditional ruler would be rescued unhurt.

Okoye said, “We are on top of the situation. We’ve since commenced an intense investigation and we’ve taken steps towards ensuring that His Royal Highness, Eze Ohiri, is released unhurt, his kidnappers all arrested, and made to face the full wrath of the law

“I’m certain that we’re going to come out positive in this case and updates will be made known to the members of the public in due course.”

The Imo State Police PRO noted that the state command, and the Nigeria Police Force at large, don’t negotiate with kidnappers.

“As I’m talking to you, our men are in the bush, giving these hoodlums a hot chase and we’ve been making positive achievements in this case,” he stressed.

Reports said that a traditional ruler of the Otulu community in the Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Joe Ochulor, was murdered after his kidnapping by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

He was kidnapped in the morning on Saturday, November 25, 2023, and was said to have been killed in the evening.

The monarch’s body was found on the roadside at the Mbutu community in the neighbouring Aboh Mbaise LG.