One killed as security operatives repel attack on palace in Imo

The police command in Imo says its operatives foiled an attack on Emmanuel Okeke, chairman of the council of Imo traditional rulers, at his Amaifeke palace in Orlu LGA on Tuesday.

In 2022, the palace was attacked by gunmen at a time the state was witnessing repeated assaults on traditional rulers.

Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesman, said the gunmen, who arrived in their numbers, shot sporadically while trying to force their way into the palace.

He said a local security operative died from gunshot wounds sustained during the duel.

“Police operatives of Orlu divisional headquarters in a joint operation with the local vigilantes of Amaifeke ancient kingdom, Orlu on 18/07/2023 at about 1415hrs foiled attempts to invade the palace of the chairman council of Imo  traditional rulers, the traditional ruler of Amaifeke ancient kingdom, HRH Eze Emmanuel Okeke at Amaifeke in Orlu LGA of Imo state,” he said.

“The hoodlums came in their numbers, shooting sporadically and fighting their way into the palace, but were given a stiff resistance by police operatives and local vigilantes who professionally took vintage positions and engaged the hoodlums in a protracted gun duel.”

Okoye said the joint security operatives forced the hoodlums to flee to adjoining bushes with various degrees of gunshot injuries.

He said two local vigilante operatives, whose names were withheld for security reasons, were badly injured in the gun duel and were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

“Unfortunately, one of them died while receiving medical attention, while the other is in stable condition,” he said.

“On combing the adjoining bushes, blood stains were seen which evidentially suggested that the hoodlums were fatally hit.”

Okoye said Mohammed Barde, the state’s commissioner of police, has directed residents of Amaifeke to go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures have been put in place to forestall a recurrence.

He said an intensive manhunt for the assailants has commenced, noting that the suspects will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“More so, the CP beckons on the general public, particularly owners of hospitals and first aid outlets, to swiftly report persons seen with or treating gunshot injury in the state, to the nearest police station,” he added.

He urged members of the public to call the Imo police command emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.

In May, Victor Ijioma, the traditional ruler of Orsu Obodo in Oguya LGA was killed by gunmen.

Ijioma was shot inside his car and his body set ablaze.