By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—The Transition Committee Chairman of Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, Augustine Achilike, narrowly escaped death, when he jumped out from his car, on top speed, after he was abducted by kidnappers.

Narrating his ordeal to journalists on his hospital bed, Achilike said he was kidnapped near the MCC/Chukwuma Nwaoha Road junction, Owerri, by unknown persons and forced  into the boot of his official car.

“They moved for some time and stopped. They opened the booth of the car to make a quick telephone call before they continued with their journey”, Achilike said.

He said that he overheard his abductors telling the person at the other end of the line that “we have gotten the man” and the voice instructed  “he should be killed”.

Continuing, the badly wounded Transition Committee Chairman said that on hearing the definite instruction, fear gripped him and as the vehicle speed off, he opened  the boot and jumped out, but sustained serious injuries in the process.

He described his escape as “ miraculous” but thanked God that he did not lose his life in the process.

The Owerri North local council boss pleaded with security agencies operating in the state to save him from assassins and criminals that were determined to snuff life out of him.

The badly injured Achilike has been moved from the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to an undisclosed hospital for security reasons.