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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Traditional Ruler of Orsu Obodo in Oguta Local Government area of Imo State, Eze Victor Ijioma, has been killed by gunmen.
The gunmen also killed the traditional prime minister of the community from Mgbele community in the same Oguta Local Government area.
It was gathered that the two leaders were killed in separate attacks at different locations on Thursday. Community sources said the Orsu Obodo monarch was accosted at Umuamaka junction in the neighbouring Izombe town by his assailants. The gunmen subsequently killed the monarch inside his car. They also set his corpse ablaze inside the vehicle.
An indigene of Mgbele, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the military and other security operatives in the LGA have taken over Izombe, Mgbele and other parts of Oguta.
According to him, the murder of the monarch and the traditional prime minister has generated tension and anxiety among the people, as indigenes of the community have been forced to flee the community.
“The Eze Igwe of Orsu Obodo was accosted while he was driving at Umuamaka junction in the afternoon. They shot him and set him ablaze inside his car and immediately zoomed off.
“Soldiers and other security operatives as I speak, are patrolling all the nooks and crannies of the village in search of the assailants. For this reason, the community is gradually being deserted as many have run away for fear of the unknown.”
He called on the government to step up action in curtailing insecurity in Oguta council.
The Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who confirmed the ugly incident said: We are collaborating with the military and we have increased security presence in the areas with a view to arresting the killers.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserates with the families of the killed community leaders and prays that God give them the fortitude to bear these irreparable loss,” he said.
