Gunmen Kill Monarch, Police Escorts In Midnight Ambush

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

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Police operatives in the monarch’s vehicle were also shot dead, and the corpses were allegedly set ablaze.

According to Leadership, the dire incident occurred on Friday night.

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 told the aforementioned publication that the traditional ruler returned to Imo State from his overseas base on Friday, only to meet his untimely death.

The traditional ruler and security operatives were ambushed and killed at the boundary of the Assa and Ochia communities 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.

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 the Assa and Ochia communities 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.”

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson, Okoye, who confirmed the incident, said the state police commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, had already ordered the immediate deployment of the tactical team throughout the 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.

“First thing tomorrow morning, the CP will embark on the spot assessment of the scene. Police is on top of the matter and we will catch them.”