The monarch was abducted at his palace around 2: 30am.
Some gunmen on Thursday morning kidnapped Damian Nwaigwe, the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was learnt that the gunmen were not fewer than 10 in number.
The monarch was abducted at his palace around 2: 30am, a community source told The Punch.
The source said, "The traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, Eze Damian Nwaigwe, has been kidnapped. The respected king was kidnapped at his palace around 2.30 am, on Thursday.
"Those who kidnapped him were many. They came in vehicles and were more than 10. They barricaded his palace, shot indiscriminately until they whisked the monarch away in an already steaming vehicle.
"The palace of the king is secluded. He built his house far from where other villagers live that was why it wasn't difficult for him to have been kidnapped without any resistance from his subjects."
The incident has caused apprehension in the community, and villagers were said to have kept vigil from the time of the incident till dawn.
Police spokesperson in the state, Micheal Abattam, confirmed the kidnap of the monarch.
Abattam said the command was working to rescue the monarch alive.