Imo State was tense on Wednesday as the wave of abductions of traditional rulers continued on Wednesday.
This time, it is the turn of the traditional ruler of Umuezeala-Ama Autonomous Community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Eze Aloysius Igwe.
He was abducted from his community.
The incident occurred at the Nkwo-Umuezeala market square.
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A source said the monarch went out to pick his wife from a meeting around the area.
But while waiting for his wife, his abductors, who came in a small bus, double-crossed his vehicle and whisked him away in it.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, said he was in a meeting and could not confirm the incident when he was contacted.
Another abducted monarch, Eze Paul Ogbu of Ihitte Ihube in Okigwe LGA, is still in captivity but his colleague, Eze Acho Ndukwe of Amagu Ihube, Okigwe was released on Monday.
It is not yet clear whether ransom was paid to secure his release.
On December 9, the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise LGA, Damian Nwaigwe and his counterpart from Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Edwin Azike were kidnapped separately.
While Azike was kidnapped and his corpse dumped at the market square in his community, Nwaigwe was freed two days later.
On November 19, the traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in the Mbaitoli LGA, Henry Madumere, was kidnapped by gunmen at Iho in the Ikeduru LGA while on his way to a public function.
The octogenarian monarch who is the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Eze Madumere, was let off the hooks of his abductors six days later.
On October 19, the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru autonomous community in the Ohaji-Egbema LGA, Kenneth Okereke escaped assassination. His attackers burnt his palace and official vehicle after he escaped.
On October 19, gunmen invaded the Njaba LGA council Headquarters Located at Nnenasa and opened fire at traditional rulers.
While two traditional rulers died on the spot, two others went into a coma and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital where they were resuscitated.
