Again, gunmen behead ex-Anambra lawmaker

A former member of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Nelson Achukwu, has been killed and beheaded by gunmen.

The death of Achukwu, who was kidnapped by gunmen on June 9, 2022, from his residence at Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was confirmed by the Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday.

The former lawmaker represented Nnewi South II between 2003 and 2007 during the regime of Chris Ngige as governor of Anambra State.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued on Wednesday, disclosed that Achukwu’s body was found at the boundary of Uke and Ukpor communities on Tuesday evening.

“The victim was abducted at about 10:15pm in his house on June 9, 2022 and efforts were being made to rescue him before this unfortunate development.

“His body was found between the boundary of Uke and Ukpor communities both in Anambra.

“We are still nosing around to ensure that the culprits are uncovered and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“His decapitated body was found at the bank of Ulasi River and was quickly buried by the family on Tuesday, June 21, evening as the body was already decomposing,” the police spokesperson said.

A source close to the family said the gunmen collected N15 million ransom before they killed the former lawmaker.

“The deceased lawmaker was kidnapped few months ago and later released before the June 9 incident,” the source who preferred anonymity added.

The killing of Achukwu comes barely a month after gunmen beheaded the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Okechukwu Okoye, and his campaign director, Cyril Chiegboka.

The Star