Former Anambra State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Chike Okoli, who was kidnapped last Sunday at his home town in Nanka, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state, has been killed.

Information reaching News Express has it that another person who was kidnapped along with the former commissioner managed to escape from the kidnappers’ clutches to tell the tale to the family of the deceased.

Okoli and the others kidnapped were said to have been taken to Ugwuoba, a border town between Enugu and Anambra states, where they were kept in the bush while the kidnappers made telephone calls for payment of ransom.

All the kidnapped persons were said to have been blindfolded but things took a turn for the worse when the kidnappers allegedly heard the footsteps of some herdsmen approaching the area and thinking they were security operatives, opened fire on their victims. Okoye was said to have been killed in the process while others escaped.

Okoli’s death happened after the family had already paid the ransom demanded by the kidnappers and members of the family were said to be looking forward to his release.

As at the time of filling this story, it was gathered that people from his community have been combing the Ugwuoba forest to find his corpse.

•Photo shows Police IG, M.D.Abubakar.