The people of Old Umuahia in the capital of Abia State were yesterday morning thrown into mourning and wailing following the gruesome murder of the Traditional Prime Minister of the area, Ogbuagu G. Asonye, and his wife, Keziah.

An eyewitness, a little child living with the couple, said the hoodlums struck at about 2am and gained entrance into their house by scaling the fence.

The little boy narrated that the two assailants covered the mouths of their victims with handkerchiefs before strangulating them.

On accomplishing their mission, they bolted away but were given a hot chase by the villagers.

Unfortunately for one of the suspects, one of his slippers fell off as he was running and it was used to trace him to Obizi Amakama, a neighbouring village, where he was apprehended and handed over to the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abia Command, Onyeke Udeviotu, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation into the heinous crime has already commenced.

The murder of the couple is coming few days after a prominent traditional ruler was murdered in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.