It was learnt that the incident happened late on Friday after the businessman returned from Zaria, Kaduna State, to celebrate Christmas in his community.
Some unknown gunmen have reportedly abducted a popular businessman and the Managing Director of People’s Bookshop, Pius Egwuekwe, at his place of residence in Umuchu Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was learnt that the incident happened late on Friday after the businessman returned from Zaria, Kaduna State, to celebrate Christmas in his community.
According to a community source, Egwuekwe was kidnapped by gunmen in front of his house and taken to an unknown destination, with no contact made since.
He was said to have been driven by his driver from Zaria to his village in Ibughubu Umuchu to celebrate Yuletide with his kinsmen.
Following the incident, the community was said to be in a state of panic because nothing had been heard about the businessman's whereabouts for three days, despite the fact that the victim was said to be touching the lives of many people in the community by attending to their needs.
Speaking with PUNCH, the source said, “His driver drove for several hours from the North and on getting home to enter his gate, some armed men accosted the driver at gun point, they opened the vehicle and forcefully took him to an unknown place.
“The matter was reported to the police, who moved into action, but their actions have not yielded any result yet as the victim has not been rescued and no suspect has been arrested till now.”
Some members of the community suspect that information about the victim's return to the village was leaked by an insider.
When contacted, Mr Charles Ezeabasili, President-General of Umuchu, who confirmed the incident, said the kidnappers had yet to contact the community.
“The kidnappers are yet to establish contact with the family members. We are waiting for them to call and probably mention their ransom. We are also being careful so as not to take action that could lead to the kidnappers killing him,” Ezeabasili added.
The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted, confirmed the incident and said the police were on top of the situation.
“There is no tension in Umuchu please. There is a reported case of abduction and investigation is still ongoing please,” Ikenga added.