Bandits have again struck the Ubudom Atta community, Njaba Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State as they kidnapped a 65-year old man, Nnoruka Onyeokwu, beheading him.
On December 8, 2021, the traditional ruler of the community, Edwin Azike, was kidnapped and the following day his lifeless body was dumped at the community’s market square.
The bizarre incident of kidnapping an beheading, which occurred Saturday, has further enthroned fear on the community as bandits have been invading and abducting people at will from there since last year.
A source confirmed that following the siege on the community and the inability of the security agencies to guarantee their safety, many people have fled their homes as they witness incessant killings and violence being experienced in community.
“This community has been witnessing killings and violence since last year and, as a result, people have fled the community for fear of becoming victims to the marauding gunmen because not even the security agents have been able to assist the community,” he lamented.
A community leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed that Nnoruka Onyeokwu was attacked in his house at night.
According to him, the villagers woke up the next morning to see his severed head dangling at the premises of the primary school in the village.
The source said “the man was attacked at night in his house. People woke up the next morning to see his severed head being displayed at the primary school. Nobody knows those who attacked him or why he was beheaded.
“The community is in a state of panic. People are running away because of the fear of the unknown. This is very unfortunate.”
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Abattam, did not answer telephone calls to confirm the incident at press time.
