Two days after killing an American returnee, gunmen strike again, abduct a Malaysian-based man

There is  fear in Imo State as some gunmen, who kidnapped and subsequently murdered an America-based Nigerian, Chuks Okebata, struck again on Saturday – two days after the first attack – and abducted a Malaysia-based Nigerian.

While Okebata was kidnapped in Mbieri town, in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, the Malaysia-based Nigerian, who had yet to be identified, was kidnapped in Akokwa town, in the Ideato North LGA on Saturday.

Okebata, who hailed from Umuduruorie in Umuomumu Mbieri, in the Mbaitoli LGA, was reportedly taken to Atta Junction in the Ikeduru LGA, where he was shot dead on Thursday.

The late Okebata

A source said the Malaysia-based man had returned home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, and was abducted in his Lexus RX 330 Jeep with number plate, BDD69 DV.

The source said, “The Malaysia-based man was relaxing with his brothers when the suspected kidnappers struck around 10pm on Saturday.

“The men, who were armed, bundled their victim into his Jeep and drove off while the people around took to their heels because of the bullets the kidnappers fired into the air.”

As of the time of filing this report, the source said the  gunmen had yet to establish contact with any member of the family of the kidnap victim.