Ritualists waylay Imo palm wine tapper, cut off head, genitals

A popular palm wine tapper in Ahaba Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state, identified as Israel Iheanacho, was Tuesday beheaded by suspected ritualists.

The incident, which happened around 9pm, caused panic in the community.

A community source said that apart from beheading him, the assailants also cut off the victim’s manhood.

Iheanacho was said to have gone to a nearby pharmacy in the community to buy medicine.

A source disclosed that while the victim was coming back, his assailants waylaid him, pushed him into a bush, beheaded him and cut off his manhood.

The development elicited outcry in the community as many questioned why the palm tapper could be killed in such a gruesome manner.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident.

He, however, said the state Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Muhammed, had ordered investigation into the incident.