Mathew Amaechi
A tranquil Sunday afternoon in Owerri, the Imo State capital, was shattered yesterday when gunmen attacked a couple inspecting a piece of land, killing the husband and abducting his wife. The horrific incident, which occurred around 4 pm at Golden Estate, Abba Father Avenue, Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area, has sent Indignation through the community and raised concerns about the safety of land investors in the state.
According to preliminary reports and eyewitness accounts, the couple, accompanied by two land agents, were en route to inspect a recently purchased plot of land in their Highlander SUV when they were ambushed by masked assailants brandishing firearms.
Initially, the husband managed to escape the scene while his wife was seized by the attackers. However, in a tragic turn of events, he reportedly returned to check on his wife’s whereabouts. Upon his return, the gunmen attempted to abduct him as well. When he resisted, they brutally shot him dead and then fled into the forest with his wife, abandoning their vehicle at the crime scene.
One of the land agents sustained injuries during the attack, while the other managed to escape unharmed. Police later arrived at the scene and evacuated the deceased’s body. The identity of the slain man has not yet been officially released.
DSP Henry Okoye, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident, assuring the public that an intense search and rescue operation is underway to locate and free the kidnapped woman.
“The command is aware of this unfortunate incident and has commenced a vigorous operation to uncover the miscreants responsible for the act and ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” DSP Okoye stated.
He further revealed that the Divisional Police Officer for Owerri West, in collaboration with other police personnel and local vigilante operatives, is actively combing the surrounding forests, acting on directives from the Commissioner of Police to rescue the abducted woman.
The brutal attack has drawn strong condemnation from various quarters. Chidiebube Okeoma, founder of the Stand For Humanity Foundation, described the killing and abduction as “reckless and unacceptable.” He urged land investors in the state to exercise extreme vigilance and enhance their personal security, warning that “kidnappers now target real estate players in the state for attacks.”
Okeoma also appealed to the police to redouble their efforts in apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice, emphasizing the need for increased security in the outskirts of the metropolis to prevent similar incidents.
As the search for the abducted woman continues, residents are left grappling with the growing insecurity, particularly for those involved in land transactions in the area. The community awaits swift action from law enforcement to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped woman and to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
