Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a local politician in Anambra State, Nigeria‘s south-east, just hours after news of a lawmaker’s beheading emerged.
Uzozie Chukwujekwu, the abducted victim, is a special adviser to a former chairman of Anambra State’s Nnewi South Local Government Area.
Recently, the local government area has been the target of numerous attacks.
In the early hours of Saturday, gunmen reportedly stormed Umudiji Umuohama village in Ukpor, a community in the council area.
The attack occurred six days after gunmen abducted a lawmaker in the state, Okechukwu Okoye.
It was said that Chukwujekwu was whisked away from his home.
When the gunmen abducted him, they shot his only son in the stomach for refusing to open the gate for them.
The politician’s son was taken to a nearby hospital and is being treated.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra State police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. He stated that the police have begun an operation to free the victim from his kidnappers.
Security in Nigeria’s south-east has deteriorated in recent months, with assailants referred to as ‘unknown gunmen’ carrying out attacks almost daily across the region.
News Central gathered that there was mass killings in the State on Sunday May 22 as suspected IPOB Separatists including a mother and her fur children.
It was learnt that one Yerima, a northern Christian based in Anambra state, and also the Head of Engineering Department, South East Zone at New Crystal Communications Limited, was butchered during the onslaught.
Sources say the assailants macheted him, removed his heart, and also went about to rustle animals and set property ablaze in the community.
Anambra State has been the epicentre of some of the region’s most heinous attacks. Security agencies, government officials, and facilities are frequently targeted in these attacks.
Soludo recently paid a visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The governor stated that his visit to the IPOB leader was part of his “wider consultations with critical stakeholders” to ensure long-term peace and security in the region.
The separatist group is leading the call for the creation of an independent state of Biafra from the south-east and parts of the south-south of Nigeria.
Kanu, the leader of the secessionist group, is being held in Abuja, where he is being tried for terrorism.
Kanu appeared in court on May 18 for a hearing to continue his trial. He’s scheduled to return on May 26.