Owerri- Unidentified gunmen on Saturday morning kidnapped the immediate past chairman of the Imo state traditional rulers council, His Royal Majesty, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri.

It was gathered from an eyewitness that the incident happened at the front gate of Ohiris compound in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state, at about 08:30 am.

Also, the eyewitness who narrated the story, claimed that Ohiris brother said to be a United States-based businessman, introduced as Solomon Ohiri, was also kidnapped.

On how the incident occurred, he shortly said: This Saturday morning, Ohiri and his brother from the United States, decided to drive out in their car in the spirit of the Christmas celebration to visit some of their friends. After their visit, they returned.

As they arrived at Ohiris compound; They packed their vehicle, at one side of the compound, and as they both of them were having the final discussion before they could say bye to each other. A highlander vehicle filled with gunmen double-crossed them and shot sporadically. They dragged both of them into the vehicle and drove away. They drove toward the Njaba to Orlu road.

However, another eyewitness, claimed that the Ohiris brother, Solomon, struggled and escaped from the kidnappers.

At the time of filing this report, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, was yet to respond to the enquiry. (Saturday vanguard: Text, Excluding Headline)