Gunmen kill Arthur Eze’s aide in Anambra

Suspected gunmen numbering about six, Saturday night, invaded Umudunu village, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State,  and allegedly killed one Mr Chinenye Ikedimma, said to be an aide to an oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze.

The incident which took place at about 11.00 p.m. left some other persons at the scene with varying degrees of injuries.

Ikedimma’s corpse had been deposited at Bekee Hospital’s mortuary in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

When Metro visited the  family house of the deceased at Abagana, sympathisers were seen trooping in to console his relations.

A sister to the deceased, Ijeoma, said his brother was returning from the neighbourhood when he met his death.

“He had no inclination of any impending danger. He just finished his dinner and took a walk in the neighbourhood,” she said.

Some of the villagers who spoke to Metro on the condition of anonymity, said the killing might not be unconnected with the communal crisis between Abagana and Ukpo communities over a piece of land which had claimed some lives and property.

One of them said “Abagana people believe that our people working with Arthur Eze, who hails from Ukpo and other prominent persons in that community might be giving them information on the plans Abagana people have on their ongoing tussle with Ukpo over a piece of land. “So, the option, as being speculated, was to ‘address’ their matter one by one.”

Speaking from his hospital bed at Okpala Hospital, Enugwu-Ukwu, Mr Kenneth Obi Ajaegbo, who sustained injury on his left knee, said he was returning from a place he visited when the gunmen attacked him.

“I ran home immediately they shot at me. It was when I got home that I discovered that I was shot on the knee. Blood was everywhere. My brother and I went to the police station immediately to make a report before coming to this hospital.

“It was at the police station that we learnt that the aide to Prince Arthur Eze had been shot dead.”

When contacted on the telephone, the Anambra state Police Commissioner, Mr Sam Okaula, confirmed the incident.

He said: “This is an isolated case. It is a case of murder somewhere in the village. One person was also injured. My Area Commander has visited him in the hospital. Maybe he had some issues with somebody or so, but the police are on it and must smoke out the culprits.”