Gunmen renew attacks in Imo

• Herbalist, nephew killed, nun, 17 others abducted
• Community says arrested gunman’s family not traceable

Residents of Imo State have been thrown once again into fear following fresh cases of killings and kidnapping. A herbalist, Chief Duru Azubuike, and his nephew were reportedly slaughtered at their ancestral home in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Council, by bandits who invaded their residence last Friday night, sparing the pregnant wife.

Yesterday, in Isu, Nwangele Local Council of Imo State, gunmen kidnapped a reverend sister. That followed the kidnap of Mrs. Ikenna Onwusoroaka, same day, at St. Philip Anglican Church in Owerri West Local Council, where she had gone to worship.

Sources said the nun was driving when the hoodlums overtook her, forcing her to stop.

The witness disclosed that the sister, who was in her habit, was forced into the abductors’ vehicle, while one of the hoodlums drove her vehicle behind, to an unknown destination.

Last Friday, an Onitsha, Anambra State- based businessman, Chimezie Okpara, who had returned home to attend the burial of his relation, was abducted in Eke Ego market in Okwelle, just few meters to his Umudurunna, Abba hometown in Nwangele Local Council.

Unknown persons, who drove a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), kidnapped the victim, who is the chairman of Onitsha branch of his town union.

MEANWHILE, the communities in Mbieri have disagreed with the police over the claim by an arrested gunman, Kingsley Osinachi, that he hails from Achi Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Council of the state. They described the suspect’s claim as false.

A disclaimer issued at the weekend by the President-General of Mbieri Nwaotuoke Union, Fidelis Akuchie, said they had searched all the homes in the communities without finding anyone bearing such name.

The police in Imo, according to the spokesman, Bala Elkana, a Superintendent of Police (SP), had on Sunday, June 6, paraded Osinachi, alongside five hoodlums shot dead by policemen.

The suspects had reportedly made an attempt to raze the police headquarters in Owerri, but they were seen ahead of time in their Hummer bus, prompting exchange of fire.

Osinachi, who was captured, said he hailed from Achi Mbieri. This led to the intensive search by the communities in the area, with the findings that nobody from the area bore such name.