Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
There is tension in Mgbe community, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, over the murder of their traditional ruler, Eze Bredan Ibekwe, by unknown gunmen suspected to be hired assassins.
A source, who narrated the incident to Daily Sun, said the gunmen absconded with the monarch’s corpse after killing him but later found where it was dumped along the Orlu-Owerri Expressway.
The gunmen, according to the source, stole the monarch’s royal bead, wrist band and mobile phone.
An indigene of the community, who claimed to have witnessed the killing, said the gunmen shot at the monarch severally, at close range, dragged his corpse into their car and zoomed off.
Although the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s death is still sketchy, as at the time of filing this report, Daily Sun, however, gathered that it may not be unconnected with a protracted communal clash which pitched some villages in the community against each other.
However, when contacted, the Police/Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the incident, said two suspects have already been arrested, just as he was quick to add that the Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galandanchi, had ordered thorough investigation into the murder of the monarch.
Enwerem said: “We received information of the killing of the traditional ruler of Mgbe community and immediately mobilised to the scene of crime.
“So far, two people have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of the monarch. The CP has called for thorough investigation into the killing and any one found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”