Panic has gripped the Nimo community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State following the murder of a prominent traditional titleholder and community leader popularly known as ‘High Chief Ozo na Nimo’.
It was gathered that the elder statesman, who was, until the incident, a member of the Nimo Royal Cabinet, was abducted from his farm on June 19.
According to eyewitness accounts, the masked men stormed the farm, causing panic among workers who fled the scene, leaving the victim, who was taken away at gunpoint.
One of the eyewitnesses said, “The masked assailants stormed the farmland where ‘high chief’ was supervising activities, throwing the place into confusion as workers fled for their lives, abandoning only him.
“The gunmen seized the elderly man at gunpoint and whisked him away, shortly after which they contacted his family and demanded N15 million as ransom for his freedom.
“Despite the payment of a ₦15 million ransom to secure his release, the abductors killed him.
“His lifeless body, bearing deep machete cuts on the head, was later found dumped on the same farmland where he was kidnapped. The murder has sent shockwaves through the community.
“Security operatives have since cordoned off the area, and investigations are underway to track down those behind the heinous act.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident when contacted on Friday, said the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condoles with the deceased’s family and community members.
Ikenga, however, did not disclose if any ransom was paid but said the police operatives have recovered the lifeless body of the deceased and stepped up efforts to arrest the perpetrators behind the crime.
“Operatives of the Anambra State Police in the early hours of 23rd June 2025 recovered a lifeless body of an alleged kidnapped victim in Nimo.
“The command has also stepped up efforts to arrest the suspects behind this heinous crime.
“The victim, who was later identified as Mr Ozor Augustine Chido, was allegedly abducted in the morning of 19th June 2025 at his piggery farm in Nimo.
“The operatives were still actively involved to rescue the victim but unfortunately, his lifeless body was discovered on 23rd June, 2025, near his farm in Nimo.
“Meanwhile, the body of the victim has been deposited at the morgue. The command sympathises with the victim’s family and the community and assures that it shall leave no stone unturned in unmasking the suspects behind the dastardly act.
“Further developments would be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.
