Gunmen abduct traditional ruler, 2 others in Abia

Biola Azeez, Umuahia - 19.03.2008

ARMED men suspected to be kidnappers, at about 6.00 a.m. on Tuesday, invaded the palace of the traditional ruler of Ihewekeala autonomous community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State and took the traditional ruler and two others away.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the traditional ruler, Eze Nelson Ohaka, was about to say his morning prayers when the gunmen stormed his palace and ordered him and those around into a waiting bus nearby.

It was gathered that the other two people kidnapped by the gunmen included a relation of the monarch, Obinna Ohaka, and one Monday Ufomba.

Speaking on the incident when the people of the community staged a protest march to the Government House, Umuahia, Mr. Godwin Offor, who led the protest, said the community had been noted for its peace and hospitality before the incident.

Offor, who said the whereabouts of those kidnapped were not known yet, added that as soon as the community noticed the incident, they quickly mobilised and reported at the Amankwo Police Division, from where they moved to the Umuahia South Local Government headquarters to inform the council chairman.

He said the people came to the Government House to intimate Governor Theodore Orji about the incident and to help in the release of their traditional ruler.

He explained that the traditional ruler was popularly accepted by the people, adding that his selection was never disputed by anybody.