Gunmen have killed the traditional ruler of Orsu Obodo community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Victor Ijioma, and the traditional prime minister of Mgbele community in the same Oguta LGA.
Our correspondent gathered that the two traditional rulers were murdered in separate attacks on Thursday by the gunmen.
It was learnt that the traditional ruler was killed in his car at Izombo community where he was set ablaze by the hoodlums.
A source said, “The Orsu Obodo monarch was accosted at Umuamaka Junction in the neighbouring Izombe town, where he was killed inside his car.
“His assailants, who were not satisfied with his death, went ahead to set his corpse ablaze inside his car.”
The traditional prime minister of Mgbele community was killed in his town.
Confirming the killings to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Friday, the police spokesman for the state, Henry Okoye, said the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, had launched a team of investigators to arrest the suspects.
He also said security patrols had increased in the areas with a view to instilling confidence in the minds of residents and arresting the killers of the community leaders.
The police spokesperson said, “The Commissioner of Police condemns in strong terms the gruesome murder of the traditional ruler and the prime minister. He has inaugurated a high-powered team of security men to go all out to arrest the hoodlums.
“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.”
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