JUST IN; Seven Traditional Chiefs gruesomely murdered by gunmen during meeting, corpses set ablaze
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, visited Umucheke Community in Onuimo LGA on Saturday, accompanied by the Sole Administrator of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi, Major AI Maikarifi, the representative of the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Commandant NSCDC, Comdt. Mathew Ovye, and other security personnel, to assess the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of over eight members of the Eze Umucheke Cabinet.
On Sunday, a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, revealed that the deceased were brutally murdered by hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN.
During his visit, CP Danjuma extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the entire community, expressing sympathy for their loss.
He assured that the security agencies in the state are collaborating to capture the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
It was reported that on Saturday evening, armed assailants killed Hyginus Ohazuruike, the President General of Umucheke Okwe Autonomous Community in Onuimo Local Government Area, along with six village heads from the same community.
According to an anonymous local resident, the gunmen arrived in a vehicle and attacked the victims during a meeting at the President General’s shop in the community market. The source said, “The gunmen arrived and opened fire, killing the President General and six village heads, after which they set the location ablaze.”
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as the agenda of the meeting was unknown. The assailants fled after the attack.
In the wake of the violence, the village has been abandoned as residents fled their homes in fear. Emeka Obi, the sole administrator of the LGA, confirmed the killings and urged residents to stay calm while denouncing the violence.
