The Ochia Awarra Ohaji, Ochia Paulinus Ekwueme, and some security operatives have been shot dead in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The gunmen ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a foreign trip earlier in the week.
The State Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed this, noting that security operatives had been deployed to ensure the area was safe.
Okoye said the state Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso had directed the immediate beefing of security throughout the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area to maintain calm and safety.
Okoye said he cannot confirm the casualty figure, adding that investigation to identify the perpetrators of this dastardly act had begun
He said “we will fish them out no matter where they are hiding.”
A local of the community revealed that the monarch had relocated from the community after a crisis with some people there and was heading home when he was attacked.
He said the chief and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.
According to the local, “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 Assa and Ochia community 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.”
