Tragedy has struck in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, when unidentified gunmen fatally shot a land investor and abducted his wife during a property inspection along Irette Road in Umuguma.

According to eyewitness accounts, the couple, accompanied by two land agents, were traveling in a Toyota Highlander SUV to assess a parcel of land when they were ambushed by masked assailants.

“A group of armed men suddenly emerged from the roadside and blocked their path,” a witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told reporters. “The man tried to escape at first, but returned when he realized his wife had been taken. That’s when they shot him.”

The attackers reportedly dragged the woman into a nearby forest after killing her husband. The two land agents managed to flee the scene, although one was said to have sustained injuries during the chaos. The victim’s vehicle was found abandoned at the site of the attack.

Responding to the incident, operatives of the Imo State Police Command arrived at the scene to evacuate the victim’s remains and begin preliminary investigations.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye confirmed the incident and said an intensive manhunt is underway.

“The command has launched a full-scale operation to apprehend those responsible and safely rescue the abducted victim,” Okoye stated.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but sources suggest it may be linked to escalating land-related disputes and criminal activity in the area.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.