Tension heightens in Imo as gunmen abduct monarch

There is apprehension in Owerri metropolis over the abduction of a prominent traditional ruler in Imo state, Eze Jewel Ndenkwo.

He was said to have been kidnapped in front of one of his companies in Owerri, the state capital, around 7pm on Friday.

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The kidnapped monarch, who owns series of businesses, including Udekings Nigeria Limited, is the traditional ruler of Isiala Umudi Autonomous community in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state.

He was said to have been abducted in front of his office at Tetlow in Owerri. The abductors are yet to establish contact with his family.

Though the police spokesperson, CSP Micheal Abattam, is yet to respond to the incident, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, has confirmed it, saying the government is making effort to curtail crime and criminality in the state.

The monarch was abducted at a time when two of the wedding guests kidnapped in Isiala Mbano area of Imo two weeks ago, regained freedom.

The victims are Collins Alaefula, Mmadu Promise and Victor Chibuike. They were said to have paid ransoms before they were left off the hook.

Brother to one of the victims, Fortune, told newsmen on Saturday that his sibling, Promise, and one other were released on Friday.