Gunmen kidnap Enugu monarch, demands N50m ransom

The traditional ruler of Obom Autonomous Community in Agbogugu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Sunday Orji, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Orji was kidnapped with his wife along the Enugu-Portharcourt expressway near Ogbaku town about 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 4 to an unknown destination.

Spokesman to Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident. He said the police have commenced operation to rescue the couple.

A source in the community said the couple were on their way to the thanksgiving service of a newly ordained Catholic priest in Obinagu community, Agbogugu, when they were kidnapped.

The source said the kidnap has been reported to the police. The source said police took away the monarch’s car that was abandoned at the spot of the incident.

The source disclosed that the kidnappers had made contact with the family and are demanding N50 million as ransom.

Prior to the couple’s kidnap, the Awgu axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway was a scene of similar criminal activities.

A commercial driver, Kenneth Igwe, was reported kidnapped in the area last week.