From Stanley Uzoaru, George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The traditional ruler of Okolochi in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Emeka Amadi, narrowly escaped abduction by gunmen on Okolochi-Ihiagwa road at the weekend.
An eye witness who narrated the incident to our correspondents lauded the bravery of his driver who was said to driven through the barricade erected by the hoodlums to escape danger. However, the abductors riddled the monarch’s vehicle with bullets.
According to the source, “while they were driving home, the monarch’s driver suddenly noticed that the gunmen had blocked the road. Unconsciously, he took the risk, driving through the hoodlums’ roadblock sending them scampering for safety. In the process, one of the gunmen was believed to have been hit.”
The gunmen allegedly release a volley of bullets after the fleeing vehicle. The monarch was said to have been grazed by a bullet and was taken to an disclosed hospital for treatment.
However, the hoodlums according to the source took out their anger on some women returning from the farm who unfortunately ran into them.
They were said to have been forced the women to strip naked and lie on the floor before they were rescued by some youths and hunters from the area who chases away the hoodlums.
Meanwhile, the monarch is said to be recuperating in a hospital where he is being treated of a minor bruises.
Confirming the incident, Ernest Amadi, the Eze’s brother said: “This dastardly attack happened last Friday afternoon when His Royal Highness was traveling on Okolochi- Ihiagwa link road.
“Thank God he escaped thanks to the bravery of his driver who took a leap of faith and drove through the hoodlums.”
But a source from the community who preferred anonymity disclosed that the failed attempt to kidnap the monarch might not be unconnected to the intrigues surrounding his emergence as the traditional ruler of Okolochi as a section of the community does not see him as its Eze.
“I thank God that Eze Amadi escaped from the evil men because I know that the incident might not be unconnected to the struggle for the Ezeship throne; a section of the community doesn’t see him as its Eze. The people insist till day that he is not the rightful person as it is not the turn of his village.”