Man Dies While Rescuing Kidnapped Elder Brother In Imo

Tragedy struck on Friday night as suspected kidnappers shot and killed Mr. Henry Ejiogu Ogbuji at Umungada junction, Irete in Owerri West local government area of Imo State.

The deceased who is a native of Obile in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state met his untimely death while in pursuit of kidnappers who kidnapped his elder brother, Sunny Ogbuji.

According to a village source, the deceased trailed the kidnappers in his own car after he heard his elder brother, Sunny was kidnapped.

The source said: “Henry Ogbuji was shot dead by kidnappers on Friday night. He was pursuing the kidnappers who captured his elder brother, Sunny Ogbuji.

“He came back from his pharmacy shop and heard his elder brother was kidnapped not long ago, and he ran after them in his car. As if he knew they took Owerri/Onitsha road expressway, he got to Umungada junction where he encountered the kidnappers.

“But on sighting that the car coming close to them was after them, they released several bullets, and killed the young man. I wonder what gave him the impetus to run after kidnappers who were well armed. It was an unfortunate situation.”

Reacting to the incident, the Imo State Police Command Spokesperson, Henry Okoye said that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ogbaku with his men met the bullet riddled man in pool of blood and took him to Federal Medical Center, Owerri where he wad confirmed dead.

“Following a distress call received on 23/02/2024, at about 21:08hrs, that a young man was shot at Umugada Market Junction, Irete, by suspected kidnappers, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ogbaku swiftly mobilized his men to the scene where they met a man later identified as Jeremiah Ogbuji, lying on the ground in his pool of blood, with severe bullet injuries on his chest.

“The operatives immediately rushed him to Federal Medical Center, Owerri where he was confirmed dead and thereafter deposited at the morgue for preservation.

“Frantic investigation is ongoing to fish out the hoodlums responsible for dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law. Accordingly, adequate security measures have been emplaced to forestall future occurrence.”