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

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

A community source told our correspondent 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.

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The source said, “Mr Israel Iheanacho, a palm wine tapper in our community was on Tuesday night beheaded. His manhood was also cut off. This is very unfortunate.

“As I speak to you, our community is in huge confusion. His headless body has been deposited at a nearby morgue. Policemen have come and taken records. This is indeed very unfortunate.”

When contacted, 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.