A monarch, Ignitus Asor, alongside four persons consisting two chiefs and two villagers, were on Monday allegedly shot dead by gunmen who invaded the monarch’s palace in Obudi Agwa community, in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
PUNCH Metro gathered from sources in the community that the gunmen stormed the monarch’s palace when Asor, his chiefs and some other persons were discussing a matter bordering on the community.
After invading the premises, the gunmen allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, killing the monarch, his chiefs and the villagers in the process.
Apart from invading the monarch’s palace in the community, the gunmen reportedly stormed Mgbala community, and allegedly shot a pregnant woman and a local security officer.
The injured victims including the pregnant woman, a retired soldier, the traditional prime minister, Stephen Ajoku, who sustained bullet wounds, were rushed to different hospitals for prompt treatment.
A source, while speaking with our correspondent, said the communities had been thrown into mourning following the attacks, adding that those who escaped were fortunate to be alive.
The source said, “Our community was attacked Monday morning. The gunmen invaded the monarch’s palace where issues were being discussed.
“They opened fire and as I speak with you, the traditional ruler, two chiefs and two others have been confirmed dead. The traditional prime minister of the community, Chief Ajoku, and a retired soldier were also shot but they are still alive.
“Mgbala community was also attacked and a pregnant woman and vigilante officer were shot. They are alive as we speak. Our community bleeds. This is very unfortunate.”
The Coordinator of Agwa Development Centre, Obinna Jumbo, when contacted, said the victims’ families alongside members of the community reported the incident to the police for investigation.
He explained further that the corpses of the victims had been evacuated from the scene and deposited in a morgue.
The sole Administrator of Oguta LGA, Ijioma Ofili, during a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said security agents in the communities had briefed him on the incident, adding that efforts were on to apprehend those behind the dastardly attacks.
While assuring that normalcy had been restored in the community, the LGA boss said justice would be served in the matter to assuage the pains of the families of the slain victims.
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, confirmed the incident.
He said the command would issue a statement but had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.
