While there has been harvest of deaths in Imo State occasioned by cult clashes that have left 13 persons dead, yesterday Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere’s aide on lands and a town Planner, Mr. Alban Opara, escaped abduction from suspected assassins.
Mr. Opara was said to have been attacked by the suspected assassins around Orji round about along Okigwe Road at about 7:30 pm but escaped by the whiskers.
According to an eye witness who introduced himself as Martin Oforegbu, Opara’s assailants were hanging around in wait as nobody had any knowledge of their motif until Opara emerged, riding in a white Hilux van before he was halted at a gun point.
Opara was said to have alighted from the vehicle only to start struggling with one of the armed suspects and began to shout for help. He said it was Opara’s alarm that caught the attention of the people around. He said that it was people’s reaction that this led to the abandoning of Opara in the pool of his own blood with his head already broken with an axe.
The suspects made away with the Hilux van, phone and some other items in the vehicle including cash.
Information has it that Opara is a retiree who had served the state as a civil servant in Ministry of Lands for 35 years. His closeness to deputy governor may not be far from the reason for the unfortunate attempt at his life.
All efforts to get Opara’s own side of the story as at press time proved abortive. He was said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital where he is receiving treatments.
Meanwhile photograph of the plastered head of Opara shortly after first aid by some good Samaritans before taking him the hospital for intensive care proved the authenticity of the unfortunate incident. The matter has also been reported to the police for investigation.
