Kidnapped Imo monarch regains freedom

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri

The former Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers popularly addressed as ‘Eze Imo’, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri has regained his freedom from the custody of daredevil kidnappers who abducted him about a fortnight ago.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Danjuma Aboki confirmed the release of the abducted monarch in Owerri Thursday in a statement issued on his behalf by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye, pointing out that the combined gallant efforts of security agencies in the state made rescue of Eze Ohiri possible.

The traditional ruler was whisked away from his palace in Obi Orodo Community in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo approximately two weeks ago when fierce-looking gunmen invaded his palace and shot sporadically before taking him to an unknown destination.

Supol Okoye, in the statement, revealed that the intense pursuit and hot chase given the abductors by security operatives compelled the kidnappers to abandon the traditional ruler in their bid to escape arrest and the monarch was successfully rescued unharmed in an undisclosed forest.

His words, “Recall the Command has been working assiduously in synergy with other security agencies towards ensuring that Eze Ohiri is released and some arrests have been made.”

“To the glory of God, he has been released, after a hot chase of his kidnappers in the forest by operatives of the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit.

“The Command will continue to work towards stamping out all forms of violent crimes in the State. CP Danjuma reaffirms the Command’s resolve to work harmoniously with the Military and other security agencies in stamping out violent crimes in the State”, he added.

Nigerian Pilot reliably gathered that the kidnappers allegedly demanded ransom of 100 Million at first from the royal family but later reduced it to 50 Million for them to release the monarch before they were busted by gallant security operatives.

It was further gleaned that some members of the kidnap syndicate were neutralized during the operation that led to the rescue of Eze Ohiri.

It would be recalled that the abduction of the former Eze Imo had caused tension and panic in the state as no fewer than five traditional rulers had fallen victims of kidnap with some killed by the gunmen.