Kidnappers Struck Abia, Kill 3 and abducted 2

Kidnappers Struck Abia, Kill 3 and abducted 2

It was a sad New Year for the people of Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State as kidnappers last weekend unleashed mayhem on the community, killing three persons and abducting two brothers. The kidnapped persons were the sons of one of those killed.

Daily Sun gathered that the hoodlums numbering over six, had stormed the compound of one Prince Iroeke at the Amamba area of the community and allegedly killed two Bakassi boys, who were security personnel attached to the man before gaining entry into the inner chambers of the house where they shot Iroeke dead.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers, after killing the man, abducted two of his sons while the third was reported to have escaped from the men of the under world. Iroeke, who took part in the last Ime Uche ceremony (retirement from active communal service) of the community held in December, was said to be with three of his children when the kidnappers struck.

Following the incident, a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed on the community, which had been cordoned by security personnel as vehicles were not allowed in or out of the community before 6.00 am and after 6.00 pm. Palpable fear is now said to be pervading the entire community as some people, who went home for the Christmas break were said to be hurrying back to their various bases in their droves.

The body of the slain man and those of the Bakassi boys were reported to have been deposited in a mortuary in the area while police investigation was on.

The kidnappers, according to a source were yet to establish contact with relations of the victims and no ransom had been placed on them. Recall that in August last year, a 78-year-old woman, Mrs. Martha Oyediya Kalu of Ndi Okocha Ogbu, Amaogudu, Abiriba was kidnapped in her son’s house and despite the fact that ransom was paid as demanded by her abductors days later, she was yet to be released five months after, fuelling speculation that she might have been killed.