Gunmen have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Umuezeala-Ama ancient kingdom in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
The monarch was kidnapped on Tuesday’s evening, according to village sources who confided in our correspondent on Wednesday.
The monarch was kidnapped at the Nkwo Umuezeala market while he was discussing with his kinsmen.
One of the sources said, “Eze Aloy Igwe of Umuezeala-Ama kingdom has been kidnapped. He was kidnapped on Tuesday evening at the Umuezeala market square. Some guys carrying guns stopped and ordered him to join their vehicle. The monarch obeyed and since then his whereabouts have remained unknown.”
Our correspondent recalls that this is the latest in the attacks of traditional rulers in the state.
On Sunday, two traditional rulers, Acho Ndukwe and Paul Ogbu were kidnapped and their palaces razed.
While Ndukwe was rescued 24 hours later, the whereabouts of Ogbu had remained unknown.
On December 9, the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise LGA, Damian Nwaigwe and his counterpart from Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Edwin Azike were kidnapped separately.
While Azike was kidnapped and his corpse dumped at the market square in his community, Nwaigwe was freed two days later.
On November 19, the traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in the Mbaitoli LGA, Henry Madumere, was kidnapped at Iho in the Ikeduru LGA while on his way to a public function.
The octogenarian monarch who is the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Eze Madumere, was let off the hooks of his abductors six days later.
On October 19, the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru autonomous community in the Ohaji-Egbema LGA, Kenneth Okereke escaped assassination. His attackers burnt his palace and official vehicle after he escaped.
On October 19, gunmen invaded the Njaba LGA council Headquarters Located at Nnenasa and opened fire at traditional rulers.
While two traditional rulers died on the spot, two others went into a coma and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital where they were resuscitated.
On April 7, gunmen abducted Eze Charles Irogebu of Umuezie community in Nguru-Aboh Mbaise LGA and his cabinet chiefs.
The monarch who was freed days later was returning to his palace after attending a traditional marriage ceremony at Ehime Mbano LGA when his abductors, double-crossed his convoy, kidnapped him and his cabinet chiefs.
A spokesperson for the police in the state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to a text message sent to him seeking confirmation on the latest kidnap of the traditional ruler.
Copyright PUNCH.
