Christian Ihim, the ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umuchoke ward in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government of Imo State, was killed by gunmen on Tuesday night.
After killing Ihim, also known as Zako, the gunmen kidnapped five other APC chieftains in the community. A community source said the attackers repeatedly shot throughout the night, causing the villagers to flee.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Central Bank Of Nigeria Raises Interest Rate To 17.5%
Aside from killing and kidnapping APC chieftains, the gunmen also invaded a neighbouring community called Okwelle and kidnapped an APC member named Onyinyechi Egenti.
The slain chairman is said to be a former aide to Emma Ibediro, the APC’s immediate past national organizing secretary.
“The ward chairman of APC in Umuchoke Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area has been killed. Apart from killing him they also kidnapped five APC members in the community.
They also went to the Okwelle community and kidnapped an APC female member known as Onyinyechi Egenti. Our community is on the run now. They shot like it was a war period,” a source said.
Our correspondent recalls that on December 15, gunmen assassinated Christopher Elehu, popularly known as Wasco, the Labour Party candidate for the Onuimo LGA state House of Assembly election, after setting fire to his country home in Okwe community.
In addition, gunmen kidnapped two community leaders in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli LGA, in the state.
The kidnapping of the two community leaders had left the community in disarray. Fidelis Nwaebele and Kelechi Iherizie were identified as the victims.
Another community source said, “They came around 7 pm. They drove to Fidelis Nwaebele house, released several gunshots and caught him. They later proceeded to Kelechi Iherizie’s shop surrounded him and caught him too.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Peter Obi Campaign Team Condemns Katsina Attack On Its Principal
When contacted, Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, promised to get back to our correspondent after conducting further inquiries, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
The killing occurred just a few days after the sole administrator of the Ideato North Local Government Area, Chris Ohizu, was kidnapped and beheaded after his kidnappers demanded N6 million in ransom.
 in Umuchoke ward in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government of Imo State, was){kind=link}