The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the killing and beheading of a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Nelson Achukwu, by gunmen.
The headless body of the physically challenged former lawmaker was found by his relatives.
Achukwu represented Nnewi South II between 2003 and 2007 during the tenure of Dr. Chris Ngige as governor of Anambra.
The incident occurred barely a month after Hon. Okechukwu Okoye representing Aguata Constituency II was kidnapped and later found beheaded in Nnobi area alongside his aide.
DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said in Awka that Achukwu’s body was found at the boundary of Uke and Ukpor communities.
“The victim was abducted at about 10:15pm in his house on June 9, 2022 and efforts were being made to rescue him before this unfortunate development.
“His body was found between the boundary of Uke and Ukpor communities both in Anambra.
“We are still nosing around to ensure that the culprits are uncovered and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
He expressed regret that the former Assemblyman was kidnapped by gunmen in his country home Ukpor, Nnewi South local government area, in spite of being physically challenged.
READ ALSO: Gunmen behead kidnapped Anambra lawmaker, Okechukwu Okoye
“His decapitated body was found at the bank of Ulasi River and was quickly buried by the family on Tuesday, June 21, evening as the body was already decomposing,” Ikenga said.
A source close to the family said that kidnappers collected N15 million ransom and went ahead to kill their victim.
“We couldn’t believe he would be killed after we had already paid the N15 million ransom requested by his abductors.
“The deceased lawmaker was kidnapped by gunmen few months ago and later released before the June 9 incident,” the source who preferred anonymity added.
The source said the late Achukwu told members of the family when he was first released, that the gunmen accused him of providing information to the military but got released when they found out that the allegations levelled against him were false.
However, the reason for his second kidnap and murder is still unknown.
Achukwu was the owner of Nelly Oil and Gas filling station located on Onuselogu road, Utuh in Nnewi South area.
NAN
