Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Owerri
One person was killed and many others wounded as gunmen attacked the palace of Eze Imo, Eze Dr E. C. Okeke at Ezioha Amaifeke in the Orlu Local Government Area of lmo State.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abattam, the gunmen in their numbers had, at about 1am, stormed the palace of the monarch and set it on fire.
A statement signed by Abattam said; “Today, the 3rd of January, 2022 at about 1am, the strategy of the police paid off as the Command’s tactical teams working in synergy with vigilante group of the area were able to repel the attack/attempt to set the palace of Eze Imo; HRH Eze Dr E. C. Okeke on fire by men suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN group at Ezioha Amaifeke in Orlu LGA of lmo state.
“The hoodlums, in their numbers, besieged the palace of the traditional ruler armed with assorted weapons but were subdued by the superior fire-power of the Command’s tactical teams and in the process, one of the hoodlums was neutralised. While others fled into the bush with bullet injuries.
On searching the body of the neutralised bandit, several charms were seen tied around his waist.
“Other items also recovered includes one ID Card, one locally made improvised electronic device, five bottles containing fuel, cash of #20,000.00 (twenty thousand naira) only and one Pump Action Gun with four live cartridges.
“Meanwhile, the command’s tactical teams are presently combing the bush with a view of arresting the fleeing members of the gang and to recover more arms and other dangerous weapons.
There have been attacks and abductions of traditional rulers in the state as a result of which the police have deployed tactical teams to guard prominent traditional rulers in the state.
No fewer than five traditional rulers have been killed while several others abducted in recent times.
