Traditional ruler abducted by armed men

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Some gunmen on Sunday kidnapped Robert Chukwudilim Eze, the traditional ruler of Ukpo community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra state, in the eastern part of Nigeria.

Eze, who is also a relation to Chief Arthur Eze, a business magnate, was abducted around 11.20 a.m. in his palace, after attending a church service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Upko.

A witness said that the traditional ruler had just alighted from his black Toyota Hilux security van when the assailants abducted him.

The witness said that four gunmen stormed the palace in a green jeep and shot at the vehicle when the traditional ruler, his driver and his personal assistant refused to open the vehicle’s door.

The Hilux van was riddled with bullets, while the two of its tyres were deflated, apparently punctured by the bullets.

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Besides, there were also some royal beads scattered on the ground, while some bullet shells had been picked by the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of the area, who was seen conducting preliminary investigations.

Confirming the incident, Mr Raphael Uzoigwe, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, told NAN that the police command had launched an investigation into the matter.

“The kidnap was carried out by four men who operated in a jeep after the traditional ruler attended a church service at St. Mary (church).

“Nobody was shot or killed; the gunmen only shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.

“We are making arrangements to liberate the traditional ruler; we have begun combing the area,” Uzoigwe said.

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