Panic in Imo community as gunmen kill monarch, dump body on roadside

Unidentified gunmen have allegedly killed the traditional ruler of Mgbe, Eze Brendan Ibekwe.

The incident happened in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday.

Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the killing.

The gunmen, who were suspected to be assailants, dumped the corpse of the monarch on the Orlu-Owerri expressway, a few kilometre from his palace.

Our correspondent gathered that there was a deep cut on the monarch’s head, while the suspected assailants left with his royal bead, wrist band and a phone.

A source which preferred anonymity, said, “The traditional ruler was murdered by gunmen who were suspected to be assailants.

“They shot him continuously until he died. They made sure there was no sign of life in him before they zoomed off.

“Most disgraceful, they dumped his body on the Orlu-Owerri expressway. This has never happened before.

“It is a sacrilege. Igbo culture forbids it and we want the Police to bring the perpetrators to book.”

Our correspondent gathered that the community had been enmeshed in political tussle for a while — a development that had allegedly pitched the villagers against one another.

The PPRO, Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the killing said that the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galandanchi, had ordered a “thorough investigation into the killing.”

Enwerem said, “The CP has called for a thorough investigation into the killing. The state CID has been instructed to take over the investigation process.”Punch