Gunmen assassinated Paulinus Ekwueme, the traditional ruler of Ochia, on Friday, as well as security personnel in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State.
The gunmen attacked the king near the border of the Assa and Ochia towns after he returned from a trip abroad earlier that week.
Imo State Police Command spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the monarch’s death, adding that security personnel had been deployed to secure the area’s safety.
According to a source, the late king had just returned from a trip overseas when he was ambushed and slain by gunmen along the Assa-Ochia community boundary.
A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some security personnel in his convoy were also shot dead, though he could not confirm the number of deaths.
He claimed the king had left the neighborhood after a fight with some of the residents and was on his way home when he was assaulted.
According to the source, the monarch and security personnel were set on fire following the execution, and the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area has been declared in mourning.
He said, “It was a well-planned and well-executed attack; someone must have given out the information that he was returning to the village on Friday. The incident happened at the boundary of the Assa and Ochia communities in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
“Our Eze had been abroad. He only arrived in Owerri on Friday and was heading to the village when he was attacked and killed. We were told that they were set ablaze by the gunmen. Everybody is scared and mourning.”
Okoye, who confirmed the monarch’s death, stated that upon learning of the occurrence, the state commissioner of police, Audu Bosso, ordered the immediate deployment of a tactical squad throughout the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area to preserve peace and safety.
Okoye said, “Yes, I am fully aware of the killing of the traditional ruler, but I do not have all the details for now, so I cannot confirm the number of casualties.
“Already, the Imo State CP, Audu Garba Bosso, has deployed the tactical team to commence investigation to identify the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
“The CP has also deployed enough security operatives to hunt down the killers. And I assure you that we will fish them out no matter where they are hiding.”
