Fleeing gunmen, on Sunday, killed a man and kidnapped his wife while negotiating for a property in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The incident occurred at about 4pm along Golden Estate, Abba Father Avenue in Umuguma, in the Owerri West local government area of the state.
Already, the Police spokesperson for Imo State, DSP Henry Okoye, has confirmed the incident and disclosed that a manhunt has commenced for the release of the kidnapped woman.
A source who pleaded anonymity told LEADERSHIP that the couple were in company of two property agents to inspect a property when the incident occurred.
The source said: “The man was driving with his wife and two agents in his Highlander jeep when masked men carrying guns attacked them. He escaped while they held his wife. But he later returned to check the whereabouts of his wife.
“It was while he was trying to find his wife that they tried to kidnap him a second time but he resisted them and they killed him immediately and abducted his wife and fled.
“The gunmen moved into the forest with the man’s wife and abandoned his vehicle at the scene of the crime. The two agents escaped and I learnt one of them sustained injuries. Policemen later arrived the scene and evacuated the corpse,” he said.
According to the source, they were yet to identify the identities of the couple as of the time of filing this report.
In his reaction, DSP Okoye confirmed the incident and said Police were currently hunting for the assailants to secure the release of the kidnapped woman.
Okoye said, “yes, I’m aware of the unfortunate incident. And we are working hard to secure the release of the kidnapped woman.
“As I speak to you now, the DPO of the Police Division with his men and Vigilante operatives of the area are combing the forests to rescue the woman.
“The DPO of Owerri West division alongside other policemen and local Vigilante members are currently in the forests. They have commenced combing of the forest in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police for possible rescue of the woman.”
Reacting to the tragedy, the founder of Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, has condemned the reckless killing and abduction.
Okeoma called on land investors in the state to be vigilant and beef up security around themselves as kidnappers now target real estate players in the state for attacks.
The activist journalist called on the police to ensure that the preparators of the heinous crime were caught and dealt with according to the dictates of the law.
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