Suspected kidnappers have killed a respected community leader in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. The victim, Chief Augustine Ezedinachi, was abducted from his farm despite being well known in the town.

The attackers struck on June 19, 2025. They took the 65-year-old traditional titleholder at gunpoint from his farmland behind St. Michael’s Secondary School in Nimo.

Chief Ezedinachi was popularly called “Gbafankiti na Nimo.” He held the title of Ogbuefi Ozo Nnanyelugo and was a senior member of the Nimo Royal Cabinet.

Before retiring, he worked as a contractor with Chevron. He later returned to the village to engage in farming and animal husbandry.

Eyewitnesses said the abductors were masked. They forced the victim into a vehicle and sped off. Residents were left in shock as news of the abduction spread.

The kidnappers later contacted his family using his mobile phone. They demanded a ransom, which the family paid.

Community in Shock as Body is Found on Same Farm

Despite the payment of ₦15 million, the criminals did not release the chief. Instead, they killed him and returned his body to the same farmland where he was taken.

His lifeless body was discovered with multiple machete cuts to the head. Local sources said the injuries were deep and gruesome.

A resident said, “He didn’t deserve to die like this. He was a quiet man who just wanted peace.”

The murder has thrown the community into mourning. Townspeople were seen weeping as the corpse was carried away.

Local youth have called for increased security. A young man from the area said, “They keep killing our elders. We need help.”

Police sources say investigations have begun. No arrests have been made as of Friday morning.

Chief Ezedinachi is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. The family is devastated and has declined to speak to journalists.

Calls for Justice and Greater Security in Nimo

Traditional rulers in Anambra have condemned the killing. A monarch from a neighbouring community said, “It is not just an attack on one man but on tradition itself.”

Residents are demanding stronger security measures to stop such violence. Farmers in the area now fear returning to their farmlands.

A community elder said, “If this can happen to someone like him, then none of us is safe anymore.”

Authorities are yet to issue a formal statement. Security patrols have since increased in the area.

The late chief was known for his generosity and wisdom. Locals said he often donated food to the poor and helped settle disputes.

A young woman who benefitted from his scholarship support said, “He paid my school fees last year. Now he’s gone.”

As preparations for burial begin, the community grieves over the senseless loss of one of its most respected sons.

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