Shock and grief have descended on Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State following the brutal killing of High Chief Ogbuefi Ozo Nnayelugo na Nimo, popularly known as High Chief Gbafankiti na Nimo, just days after he was kidnapped from his farmland.
Eyewitnesses say the respected community leader, a senior member of the Nimo Royal Cabinet, was seized at gunpoint on his farm on June 23, 2025, after masked gunmen stormed the area, forcing workers to flee for their lives. Despite frantic efforts by family and community members, including the payment of a reported N15 million ransom, the abductors executed him.
The discovery of his mutilated body, with deep machete wounds to the head, dumped on the same farmland where he was abducted, has sent shockwaves across Anambra State. Residents and traditional leaders described the killing as a wicked betrayal of trust and a devastating blow to peace efforts in the area.
Community members gathered at the palace square on Thursday morning, holding a candlelight procession and demanding swift justice for the fallen chief. Many lamented the growing insecurity across Anambra, with high-profile kidnappings and violent crimes now becoming alarmingly frequent.
Security operatives from the Anambra State Police Command have since cordoned off the scene and launched an intensive manhunt for the killers. As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been confirmed, and the police had yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Local leaders, including members of the Nimo Royal Cabinet, have called on Governor Charles Soludo to intervene urgently and ensure the full weight of the law falls on those behind the crime. They also urged increased police patrols and intelligence gathering in Njikoka and its surrounding LGAs.
High Chief Gbafankiti was known for his philanthropy, cultural advocacy, and tireless service to the people of Nimo. His sudden, gruesome death has left an irreplaceable void in the community’s leadership.
