Owerri — The prevailing peace in Egbelu Agbala, a rural community in Owerri North local council area of Imo State, has been jolted, following the kidnap of one of their prominent sons, Chief Malachy Okechukwu Onu.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the young businessman, Malachy, and some of his close friends were drinking in one of the drinking spots in the community when the armed hoodlums struck.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, said: "The hoodlum stormed the spot at about 8pm last Saturday, shot sporadically into the air and settled for the victim in a commando style."

The villager said while every other person in the vicinity scampered into safety, the armed hoodlums grabbed and overpowered their victim.

"The kidnappers grabbed him as he made to escape from the troubled scene and a serious struggle ensued.

"He was, however, overpowered by the four armed men, shoved into their waiting car and sped off," the villager recounted with grief.

Vanguard equally learnt that the kidnappers have made contact with members of the immediate family and demanded N20 million ransom.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, a deputy superintendent of police, confirmed the incident but could not give details.