A former lawmaker has been beheaded in Anambra State, Nigeria’s south-east.
Nelson Achukwu, of Anambra State’s Nnewi South Local Government Area, was reportedly kidnapped a few months ago by gunmen who accused him of providing information to military authorities.
He was eventually released after his kidnappers realized he was not guilty of the charge.
Mr. Achukwu, a physically challenged man, was kidnapped from his home in Mkpor three weeks ago.
He was beheaded after his family allegedly paid the gunmen a ransom.
He stated that the former lawmaker’s body was discovered on Tuesday between the communities of Uke and Ukpor in the council area.
“His decapitated body was discovered at the back of Ulasi Rivers on Tuesday evening and was quickly buried by the family as the body was already decomposing.”
“Before this unfortunate development, efforts were being made to rescue him (from his abductors),” Mr. Ikenga said.
The police spokesperson stated that the investigation would not be stopped and that the suspects would be apprehended.
Mr. Achukwu owns the Nelly Oil & Gas Filling Station in Utuh, another council community.
During the administration of former governor Chris Ngige, now Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, he represented Nnewi South 2 Constituency in the state assembly.
Increasing insecurity
Security in Nigeria’s south-east has recently deteriorated, with armed individuals carrying out attacks almost daily across the region.
Anambra State has been the site of some of the region’s most heinous attacks. Security agencies, government officials, and facilities are frequently targeted in these attacks.
The latest attack came exactly one month after gunmen kidnapped and beheaded Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker from Anambra State’s Aguata 2 Constituency.
Mr. Okoye and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, were killed on May 21, six days after they were kidnapped along Aguluzigbo Road in the state’s Anaocha Local Government Area.
Gunmen kidnapped Uzozie Chukwujekwu, a special adviser to a former chairman of Nnewi South Council Area, and shot his only son just hours after news of Mr. Okoye’s beheading broke.
The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra of being responsible for some of the region’s deadly attacks. However, the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
The separatist group is leading the push for an independent state of Biafra to be formed from parts of Nigeria’s south-east and south-south.
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the secessionist group, is being held in Abuja, where he is being tried for terrorism.
