Gunmen have killed Mr Christian Ihim, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umuchoke Ward in Okwe in the Onuimo Local Government of Imo State.
According to report, after killing Ihim who is popularly known as Zako on Tuesday night, the gunmen went on to kidnap five other chieftains of the party in the community.
Community sources recounted on Wednesday that the attackers shot all through Tuesday night, causing the villagers to flee for their lives.
Apart from killing and kidnapping the APC chieftains, the gunmen also invaded a neighbouring community called Okwelle and also kidnapped a female member of the APC identified as Onyinyechi Egenti.
The slain chairman is said to be a former aide of the immediate past national Organising secretary of APC, Emma Ibediro.
Reports from the community revealed that the area has been deserted.
A source said ” the ward chairman of APC in Umuchoke Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area has been killed.
“Apart from killing him they also kidnapped five APC members in the community.
“They also went to Okwelle community and kidnapped an APC female member known as Onyinyechi Egenti. Our community is on the run now. They shot like it was a war period.”
The Imo State Police command is yet to release a statement on the latest tragedy.
Recall that gunmen had on December 15 killed the Labour Party candidate for the Onuimo LGA state House of Assembly election, Christopher Elehu, popularly known as Wasco, after razing his country home in Okwe community.
Also, gunmen have kidnapped two community leaders in Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli LGA of the state.
The abduction of the two community leaders had put the community in a state of confusion.
The victims were identified as Fidelis Nwaebele and Kelechi Iherizie.
A source in the community who doesn’t want to be mentioned said, “they came around 7pm. They drove to fidelis Nwaebele house, released several gunshots and caught him.
“They later proceeded to Kelechi Iherizie’s shop, surrendered him and caught him too.”
