By peterside Rejoice Eneky
A Nigerian man based in the United States was shot dead on Sunday by suspected gunmen along the Irete–Umuguma Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. His wife was abducted during the same attack.
The couple, originally from Anambra State, had travelled to Nigeria to finalize a land transaction and were en route for a site inspection when the attack occurred around 4:00 p.m. They were accompanied by two local land agents in a Toyota Highlander SUV.
Eyewitnesses said the group was ambushed by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen near Golden Estate and Abba Father Avenue. The victim reportedly escaped initially but was killed after returning in an attempt to rescue his wife. He was shot in the head at close range.
The attackers abducted the woman and escaped into a nearby forest. The land agents were injured while trying to flee. The victim’s body was recovered shortly after by security operatives alerted by residents.
The attack has sparked tension in surrounding communities, including Irete, Nekede, Avu, Amakohia-Ubi, Okuku, and Ndegwu, where there has been a reported increase in similar assaults in recent months.
Reacting to the incident, Secretary of Owerri West Local Government Area, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“It is highly regrettable that people returning to their homeland are no longer safe. The federal government must work with state governments to tackle insecurity using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures,” Onyeneke said.
He also called for the creation of forest guard units to assist conventional security forces in identifying and flushing out armed criminals in rural areas.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident. He said the Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical teams to the area and ordered a manhunt led by the Owerri Urban Area Commander.
“The command has commenced a full-scale investigation and is determined to bring those responsible to justice,” Okoye said.
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