Eze Joe Ochulor, the traditional ruler of the Otulu village in Imo state’s Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, has been killed by gunmen.
The monarch was alleged to have been killed in the evening after being taken by gunmen on Saturday morning.
According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the monarch’s body was discovered on the roadside at Mbutu community in the neighboring Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area on Saturday.
The source said, “The traditional ruler of Otulu community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State has been killed. The lifeless body of the king was found on the roadside at Mbutu community in Aboh Mbaise LGA on Saturday night. He was abducted from his palace on Saturday morning.
“There is fear everywhere. Villagers are afraid because the traditional ruler was taken from his home on Saturday morning only for his lifeless body to be found on the same Saturday. This is horrifying.”
When contacted, Henry Okoye, the state police spokesperson, verified the monarch’s death and assured everyone that the suspects would be apprehended.
He said that the state commissioner of police had declared a manhunt for the traditional ruler’s assassins.