Unidentified gunmen reportedly abducted the immediate past chairman of the Imo state traditional rulers council, His Royal Majesty, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, on Saturday morning.

The incident took place at the front gate of Ohiri’s compound in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state, around 08:30 am.

An eyewitness provided an account of the kidnapping, stating, “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.”

There were conflicting reports regarding the fate of Ohiri’s brother, Solomon, with one eyewitness claiming that he struggled and escaped from the kidnappers.

As of the time of reporting, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, had not responded to inquiries about the incident.