Terrorists kill returnee Nigerian, a soldier in US Army who wanted to invest in his native country
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Terrorists at the weekend killed a United States returnee Nigerian and kidnapped his wife in Umuguma, Owerri West Council of Imo when the couple went to seal a deal over a land they wanted to buy.
A source said the murder took place on Sunday after the Nigerian-American and a soldier in the US Army, a native of Ihiala in Anambra, accompanied by his wife and land sellers/agents arrived in his Toyota Highlander SUV at a site he negotiated to buy near Golden Estate/Abba Father Avenue, Umuguma, Owerri West.
Masked armed terrorists suspected to be herdsmen ambushed them, killed the man and abducted his wife. Others escaped with injuries. The corpse and vehicle were abandoned.
Imo Police Command spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the incident and disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has directed the Owerri Area Commander to carry out a comprehensive investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen attacked the victims in the vehicle, leading to the initial resistance and escape of the deceased. His wife was taken away and when he returned to the scene he was greeted with a bullet in his head, which killed him.
After the shooting, the terrorists fled to a nearby forest with the woman.
The land agents reported the incident to the police who later recovered the corpse and the vehicle.
Residents of Umuguma and neighbouring communities – including Irete, Nekede, Avu, Amakohia-Ubi, Okuku, Ndiegwu, and others – are living in fear following rising insecurity in the area.
Police have advised prospective land buyers and other members of the public to be careful in their dealings and to report suspicious acts to the police for prompt action.
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