Connect with us

Crime

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Four Others in Imo State, Set Bodies Ablaze

Published

on

263 Views

Unknown gunmen on Friday night ambushed and killed the traditional ruler of Ochia Awarra Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (also known as Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), along with four security operatives and others in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The assailants set the victims’ remains on fire after the attack.

According to eyewitness accounts and reports, the monarch and his entourage were returning from a meeting in his village, Ugama, when gunmen trailed and opened fire on them near Assa Community Primary School, at the boundary between Assa and Ochia communities.

The victims were shot dead and their bodies burnt beyond recognition.

Eze Ekwueme, a barrister, had reportedly just returned to Nigeria from abroad (with some accounts mentioning the United States or Canada, where he had stayed for several years) earlier in the week or on the day of the incident.

His killing has thrown the Awarra Court Area and surrounding communities into mourning and confusion, as residents grapple with the brutal nature of the attack.

Imo State Police Command spokesman Henry Okoye confirmed the incident and stated that security operatives have been deployed to the Awarra Court Area to restore law and order and prevent further breakdown of peace.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time, and no group has claimed responsibility. Police have recovered the burnt remains and launched an investigation into the killings.

This incident adds to concerns over the safety of traditional rulers and escalating insecurity in parts of Imo State and the South-East region.

Community leaders have called for urgent measures to apprehend the perpetrators and address underlying tensions in the area.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

More Than 23 Terrorists Killed in Boko Haram-ISWAP Clash in Sambisa (Video)

Published

on

62 Views

More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.

The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.

A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.

Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.

The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.

Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.

Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.

Watch video below:

Continue Reading

Crime

10 Out of 15 Abducted NYSC Members Rescued in Kogi (Video)

Published

on

128 Views

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.

He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.

The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Watch the video below:

Continue Reading

Crime

JUST IN: Terrorists kill 4, abduct others in Gorau after boat tragedy

Published

on

157 Views

Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.

The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.

The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.

Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.

Continue Reading

Trending