Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa,Owerri
Gunmen last Sunday evening killed a United States-based returnee, abducting his wife in Umuguma, Owerri West local government area, Imo State.
Investigator news gathered that the deceased, an indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, and a Nigerian-U.S. soldier, accompanied by his wife and land sellers/agents, had arrived in his Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a site which he was said to have negotiated to buy, located near the Golden Estate / Abba Father Avenue, Umuguma, Owerri West, Imo State, when the masked armed bandits, suspected to be herdsmen, ambushed them, killing him and abducting his wife. Others escaped with injuries, while the corpse and vehicle were abandoned.
As of the time of filing this report, communication was yet to be opened on the whereabouts of the woman.
Police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, informing that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had directed the Owerri Area Commander to carry out a comprehensive investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had attacked them in the vehicle, leading to the initial resistance and escape of the deceased, stressing that his wife was taken away, but his return was greeted with a bullet in his head, which killed him. After the shooting, they fled into a nearby forest with the woman.
The Guardian learnt that the land agents reported the incident to the police, who later carried the corpse and the vehicle.
Indigenes and residents of Umuguma and neighbouring communities, including Irete, Nekede, Avu, Amakohia-Ubi, Okuku, Ndiegwu, and others, are living in fear following the rising insecurity in the area.
Prospective land buyers and other members of the public were also advised by the security agencies to be careful in their dealings and report any suspected abnormal acts to the police for prompt action.
