It has been revealed how unknown gunmen invaded Umuihe Autonomous Community, Akaeze in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The invasion which lasted for hours left the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Omazi Ibo Ubani killed.
According to report, the incident which happened on Friday, May 3, witnessed heavy gun shootings by the gunmen. As a result, there was pandemonium in the community as the people scampered for safety.
Confirming the incident, the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Chinasa Okorie, said the attack occurred at about 10:pm on Friday.
Okorie condemned the killing of the monarch, whom he described as a very good man. He stressed that it would be very difficult to get a traditional ruler of his nature in the community.
The Coordinator described the monarch as fearless and intelligent whose wealth of experience would be greatly missed by the community.
Narrating the incident, Okorie said, “Around 10.pm last Friday, I received a call that there was shooting in the house of our traditional ruler. After the shooting, it was discovered that our traditional ruler has been killed. And that is the traditional ruler of Umuihe Autonomous Community, Akaeze, HRH Eze Umazi Ibo Ubani.
“This is a great loss to the community and Akaeze at large. Because he is a man of integrity. A man that would be difficult to replace because the man is intelligent, he is bold and he is fearless.
“The man does not know corruption because at all times, his integrity is always seen. I am very sad about his killing. It is a great loss to Akaeze Development Centre where I am the leader. To Ivo Local Government and Ebonyi State.
“His voice is loud in Ebonyi State. He is a first class Traditional Ruler. The killing is a very bad incident,” Okorie lamented.
The Coordinator, however, maintained that only the security agencies can know the cause of the incident and those behind it.
Another indigene of the community, Sinbad Ogbuatu, also confirmed the incident occurred late in the night on that May 3.
Speaking some days after the incident, Ogbuatu stated that the killing has caused tension and apprehension in the community. He added that markets and shops around the community couldn’t open for businesses.
“I have been calling everyone and nobody told me there was crisis or problem in the community to warrant such incident. Maybe when normalcy returns, we will know the cause of everything,” he stated.
Also the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu has confirmed the incident. He, however, said police were after the assailants.
“Immediately we got a distress call on the incident, we swung into action. But the assailants had already left the scene by the time our men moved to the scene. We are trailing the assailants,” he said.
The Chairman, Ivo Local Government Area, Emmanuel Ajah expressed sadness over the killing. He, therefore, vowed that the killers of the traditional ruler must be apprehended.
“We are relentlessly committed within the ambit of the law to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book. And that justice is served to the slain traditional ruler.
“Ivo is a sacred land and whoever dare to desecrate the sanctity of the land must be apprehended and punished.
“I urge our people, especially those of Umuihie Community in Akaeze to go about their normal lawful businesses. As security agencies are already on ground to ensure peace and order in Ivo Local Government Area,” he said.
Recall that on February 27, 2023, a traditional ruler of in Ezza North LGA, Eze Igboke Ewa of Umuezekoha was brutally murdered in his palace by gunmen. His assailants shot him repeatedly to make sure he was death before fleeing the compound.
And three days to the burial of the late traditional ruler in April 2024, yet-to-be-identified arsonists burnt the palace of the late traditional ruler, a report stated.
Also on June 22, 2022, the traditional ruler of Isuokoma Autonomous Community in Onicha LGA was abducted in his palace by gunmen. Up till date the traditional ruler’s whereabouts is unknown. This is even after the abductors had allegedly collected an unspecified ransom, report said.
source: The Nation
