Gunmen abduct, kill traditional ruler in Imo

Some gunmen have killed Eze Achulor, the traditional ruler of Otulu autonomous community in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA in Imo state. 

The monarch was said to have been kidnapped on Saturday by the gunmen at his palace in Otulu.

A village source told journalists that his lifeless body was found on Saturday night along Mbutu road in Aboh-Mbaise LGA, a neighbouring community.

“Eze Joe Achulor has been murdered by unidentified gunmen after he was whisked away yesterday morning,” the source said.

“The gunmen did not demand for any ransom as all efforts to locate their whereabouts proved abortive. Unfortunately, on Saturday night, we discovered his dead body along Mbutu Community road. This is tragic! It is terrifying. I do not know why insecurity is left to thrive in Imo and many lives have been destroyed. Government needs to do something drastic to curtail this.”

Confirming the incident, Henry Okoye, the state police spokesperson, said the commissioner of police has delegated a “high power” team with the responsibility to investigate the assassination and apprehend those responsible.

He also said the command is open to anybody with useful information that will lead to the swift arrest of the suspects.

The incident comes days after gunmen reportedly killed Chiedoziem Anyanwu, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ife/Akpodim/Chokoneze ward in Ezinihitte Mbaise ward of the state.

Anyanwu was reported to have been shot by gunmen riding a motorcycle.