By Our Correspondent
A tragic incident has left Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State in deep mourning after six people, including the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen.
The victims included the monarch, two of his brothers, his driver, and his security aides, all of whom were attacked on Friday. Reports indicate that after carrying out the killings, the gunmen set the bodies on fire, burning them alongside the traditional ruler’s official vehicle.
Eze Ekwueme had only recently returned to his community after spending several years away due to health challenges. His visit was intended to reconnect with his people, and he had attended a meeting with women in the community earlier that day. Shortly after the meeting, he and those accompanying him were ambushed along Asa Awara Road, where the attackers opened fire and killed them.
Information circulating online, including a video of the aftermath, suggests that the assailants acted with extreme brutality, immediately incinerating the victims at the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, condemned the attack and described it as heinous. He assured residents that security operatives have been deployed and are actively pursuing those responsible, with tactical units working to track down the perpetrators.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, stated that the Ohaji Division received a distress report at about 4:30 p.m. on April 10, 2026, indicating that armed assailants had attacked the traditional ruler along Asa Awara Road.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police swiftly mobilised and dispatched tactical teams to the scene in Assa, where officers recovered the charred remains of the victims. Authorities have since intensified investigations as efforts continue to bring the attackers to justice.
The gruesome attack has heightened fear and tension within the community, with residents calling for urgent steps to strengthen security and prevent further violence.
