Unidentified Gunmen Murder Traditional Ruler, Dump Body At Market Square In Imo

Fear has enveloped Njaba Local Government Area of Imo state, following the reported murder of a traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom Edwin Azike by a yet to be identified gunmen .

It was gathered that his corpse was found at the market square in the community on Friday morning after he was abducted on Thursday.

In the month of October, NewsTrack Nigeria (newstrack.com.ng) had reported the killing of two traditional rulers from Okwudor in Njaba local government area of Imo State. They were shot dead in the local government council headquarters where they had gone for a meeting at the instance of the Local government chairman.

It was earlier reported that the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise LGA, Damian Nwaigwe, was abducted on Thursday morning from his palace.

A family source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the development to our correspondent saying that four persons were shot dead on Thursday in the community after the monarch was kidnapped.

He listed the names of those shot dead on Thursday to include, Iyke Oduozor, a 17- year- old apprentice and one Lady Dominica and another whose name could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

He said the traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Eze Edwin Azike, has been murdered. His lifeless body was dumped at the market square and the villagers discovered it this morning. He was kidnapped on Thursday and thereafter, the community was invaded which led to the killing of four persons.”

Also confirming the report ,the chairman of Traditional Rulers Council/ Community Policing in the state, Eze Emma Okeke, said that the monarchs in the state were saddened by the killing of their colleague.

He described the the killing of Azike as an abomination, Okeke, said that the council was on Friday morning informed of the killing of the traditional ruler.

His words, ” Traditional rulers are not politicians, we are only custodians of the culture of our people. We were informed on Thursday when he was kidnapped, only for him to be found dead, this morning.

“We have received the sad news about the killing of Eze Edwin Azike. This is an abominable in Igbo culture. I don’t know why traditional rulers are being hunted like this. “

The police Public Relations Officer , PPRO in Imo state, Micheal Abattam, when contacted promised to make inquiry and get back to our correspondent but he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.