From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
There is tension, fear and panic in Ahaba Orodo community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state as gunmen suspected to be ritualists behead a popular palm wine tapper in the area, identified as Mr. Israel Iheanacho, aged 56.
The incident which occured around 9:pm Tuesday night is creating ripples in the community.
A source, Mr James Ibekwe, who saw the lifeless body, told our correspondent that apart from severing his head, the killers also cut off his manhood.
The victim had gone to a nearby patent medicine dealer near the community’s market square to purchase medicine as the deceased was complaining of fatigue.
The source said that while the victim was coming back his assailants waylaid him, dragged him into a bush, beheaded him and cut off his penis and scrutum.
The development had elicited outcry in the community as many had questioned why the palm wine tapper could be killed in such a gruesome manner.
According to him, “as I speak to you, our community is in disarray and there is confusion in the air.
“His headless body had been deposited at a nearby morgue. Policemen have come and taken records. This is indeed very unfortunate,” he lamented.
When contacted, a spokesperson of the State Police command, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident and noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Muhammed, had ordered investigation into the murder incident.
