Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Security Operatives In Imo

The traditional ruler of Ochia Awarra Ohaji, Ochia Paulinus Ekwueme , was on Friday night shot dead at the boundary of Assa and Ochia community, in the Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State.

This is even as some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead and the corpses allegedly set ablaze.

Police spokesperson for Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and assured that security operatives have been deployed and that the area is safe.

A source in the village who pleaded anonymity said the traditional ruler only returned to Imo State from his abroad base on Friday, only to meet his untimely death.

The traditional ruler and security operatives were ambushed and killed at the boundary of Assa and Ochia community in the Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State.

The source said he couldn’t confirm the number of the security operatives involved, adding that available information alleged that after the killing, they were set ablaze.

Another source alleged that there were three security operatives involved, drawn from the Department of State Security Services (DSS).

He said, “It was a well planned and executed attack, someone must have given out that information that he was returning to the village today. The incident happened at the boundary of Assa and Ochia community in the Ohaji/Egbema local government area.

“Our Eze only arrived Owerri today from abroad and was heading to the village when he was attacked and killed. We were told that they were set ablaze by the gunmen. The entire Ohaji has been thrown into mourning,” he said.

Meanwhile police spokesperson, Okoye, who confirmed the assassination of the monarch said the state police commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, had already ordered the immediate deployment of the tactical team throughout Ohaji/Egbema local government area to maintain calm and safety.

Okoye said, “Yes, I’m fully aware of the incident but not all the details for now so I can’t confirm the number of casualties.

“Already, the Imo State CP, Audu Garba Bosso has ordered the deployment of the Command’s tactical team to commence investigation to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“Also, the CP has 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,” Okoye said.