Gunmen kill Imo monarch, 5 others, burn corpses

By Emmanuel Iheaka

Unidentified gunmen have killed the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, and five others in his entourage.

A source in the community who pleaded anonymity said the incident happened along Asaa/Awara road in the area on Friday evening.

According to the source, the gunmen set the corpses ablaze after firing shots at them.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the command had launched a manhunt for the killers.

Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has paid an on-the-spot assessment of the area.

“‎The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly attack on the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

“‎The deployment followed a distress report received from Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, indicating that armed assailants attacked the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road. Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.

“‎Upon receipt of the report, the CP immediately mobilized and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Assa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased. The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.

“‎Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession.

‎”In addition, the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area,” Okoye submitted.