Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday evening killed an auto mechanic identified as Valentine Enwerem and kidnapped a businessman identified as Aloysius Onuekwusi.

The incident happened after a U-turn, at Nkwo Orji market junction on Owerri-Okigwe Road in Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State.

OHAFIA TV News gathered the late driver, who sensed the presence of the shooters, tried to maneuver his way through but was immediately shot dead at close range.

Our correspondent was told that the deceased was from the Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state and his wife sells things besides his workshop.

After shooting him dead, the gunmen kidnapped the three persons he was carrying in a vehicle.

Onuekwusi was abducted around the same area in front of his house shortly after making a cash and rappers donation to Obilubi women during their 2022 August meeting.

The witness said, “Our brother, Aloysius Onuekwusi has been kidnapped. An auto mechanic with a white Hilux trying to negotiate a bend of the U-turn was shot dead. The gunmen fired many shots into the air to escape from the scene.”

He further said the development had brought the women’s August meeting to an abrupt end because the victim’s wife is the women’s leader.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in Imo State, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the incidents as of press time.