The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.
News broke yesterday about a traditional ruler and four of his aides were murdered by gunmen for allegedly refusing to support the Peter Obi presidential movement.
Gunmen at about 10am on Monday, November 14, 2022, killed His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) Ignatius Asor, Udi of Obudi Agwa, and two of his aides before escaping.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident in a statement said the gunmen came in the company of a woman and disguised themselves as persons in distress.
According to the PPRO, the unsuspecting monarch welcomed the assailants into his palace, sat down with them before they brought out guns and shot him dead.
Abattam said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, condemned the attack and appealed for calm while assuring the community of the command’s efforts to arrest the perpetrators.
“Sequel to a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer, Divisional Police Headquarters Agwa, in Oguta LGA of Imo State, on the 14/11/2022 at about 1230 hours, that, hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) are attacking the Palace of His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) Ignatius Asor (fcin), the Udi 1 of Obudi Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo State,” the statement read.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), joined by the Command’s Tactical Teams immediately, raced to the Eze’s Palace, where on arrival it was discovered that the hoodlums has fled the scene
“Preliminary investigation revealed that, the hoodlums came in four vehicles and two motorcycles in company of a woman, disguising themselves as persons in distress and have come to report an emergency situation to him.
“The unsuspecting Royal father allowed them into his palace, sat down with them, in the process of explaining the reason for their visit, they brought out guns, shot and killed the Eze and two of his aides, and hurriedly fled the palace.
“On their way, they attacked the office of the Agwa vigilante group, shot one person and made away with three (3) motorcycles. The police operatives armed with information from eyewitness traced the escape route in pursuit of the hoodlums.
“Meanwhile, the corpse has been removed and deposited in the mortuary, and the community fortified with enough police operatives,”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, who condemned the dastardly act, has appealed for calm.
He assured the good people of Agwa in particular and Imo State in general, that investigation has commenced and the Command will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The CP then enjoined them to assist the police with credible information or report any clandestine activities in their community to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency control room numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197.
