Armed men abduct a traditional leader in Imo
Gunmen abducted the traditional leader of Isiala Umudi community in Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria.
The monarch, Jewel Ndenkwo, was abducted in Owerri around 7 p.m. Friday.
He was taken by the gunmen outside one of his businesses, Udekings Electronics, in the area.
A local shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES the gunmen fired shots into the air when the monarch tried to flee.
“So then he stopped for the gunmen. They took him away while people were still moving,” he said.
The kidnappers have not yet made contact with his family on Saturday evening, we learned.
State Police spokesman Michael Abattam did not respond to calls or a text message seeking comment on the kidnapping.
Increase in kidnapping casesKidnappings for ransom have been on the rise in Imo State lately.
The latest incident occurred about three weeks after gunmen abducted four Reverend Catholic Church Sisters along the Okigwe-Umulolo road in Okigwe Local Government Area.
They were freed by the gunmen about two days after their abduction.
Last month, gunmen abducted a Catholic priest and a seminarian along the Okigwe-Umunneochi road between Imo and Abia states.
The victims were released two days later after apparently paying a ransom to their captors.
In July, gunmen abducted dozens of passengers along the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway between the communities of Leru and Ihube, another border between Imo and Abia states.
> Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
Gunmen abducted the traditional leader of Isiala Umudi community in Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria.
The monarch, Jewel Ndenkwo, was abducted in Owerri around 7 p.m. Friday.
He was taken by the gunmen outside one of his businesses, Udekings Electronics, in the area.
A local shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES the gunmen fired shots into the air when the monarch tried to flee.
“So then he stopped for the gunmen. They took him away while people were still moving,” he said.
The kidnappers have not yet made contact with his family on Saturday evening, we learned.
State Police spokesman Michael Abattam did not respond to calls or a text message seeking comment on the kidnapping.
Increase in kidnapping casesKidnappings for ransom have been on the rise in Imo State lately.
The latest incident occurred about three weeks after gunmen abducted four Reverend Catholic Church Sisters along the Okigwe-Umulolo road in Okigwe Local Government Area.
They were freed by the gunmen about two days after their abduction.
Last month, gunmen abducted a Catholic priest and a seminarian along the Okigwe-Umunneochi road between Imo and Abia states.
The victims were released two days later after apparently paying a ransom to their captors.
In July, gunmen abducted dozens of passengers along the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway between the communities of Leru and Ihube, another border between Imo and Abia states.
> Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
What's Your Reaction?
