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OWERRI, Nigeria - A real estate investor lost his life after being attacked and fatally shot by a group of armed men in Owerri, Imo State. Along with murdering the land investor, the attackers reportedly abducted his wife during the assault.
According to reports, the couple and two land agents were driving in a Highlander SUV to assess a property when the event took place around 4 p.m. on Irette Road, Golden Estate, Abba Father Avenue in Umuguma, within the Owerri West Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, who requested to remain anonymous, stated that the couple was ambushed during their journey by the masked gunmen.
“The man was driving with his wife and two agents in his Highlander jeep when armed masked men attacked them.
He managed to escape initially while they detained his wife.
He later came back to search for her, but they attempted to capture him again.
He seemed to resist, which led to them killing him instantly and taking his wife,” he reported.
“They took his wife into the forest and left the vehicle at the scene. The two agents managed to escape, though I heard one was injured. Police arrived later to retrieve the body,” he added.
The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, stating that the force had initiated a comprehensive operation to locate the assailants and rescue the abducted woman.
“The command is aware of this tragic incident and has begun an intensive effort to identify and apprehend those involved,” Okoye remarked.
He mentioned that the Area Commander for Owerri Urban is currently directing a coordinated search in the wooded areas of Owerri West, as instructed by the Commissioner of Police, with the aim of rescuing the victim and delivering justice to the perpetrators.
