Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
The Imo state Police Command on Monday confirmed that the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Ignatius Asor, and two of his aides, have been shot dead by hoodlums suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mike Abattam, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri.
He said the hoodlums drove to the palace of the monarch and pretended to be persons in distress that need help. It was when the monarch welcomed them into his palace, that in the process they pulled out their guns and shot at the traditional ruler and two others.
Narrating how the incident happened, Police said: “Sequel to a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer, Divisional Police Headquarters Agwa, in Oguta LGA of Imo State, on the 14/11/2022 at about 1230 hours, that, hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), were attacking the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) Ignatius Asor (fcin), the Udi 1 of Obudi Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo State.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), joined by the Command’s Tactical Teams immediately, raced to the Eze’s palace, where on arrival it was discovered that the hoodlums had fled the scene.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the hoodlums came in four vehicles and two motorcycles in the company of a woman, disguising themselves as persons in distress and had come to report an emergency to him.”
“The unsuspecting Royal father allowed them into his palace, and sat down with them, in the process of explaining the reason for their visit, they brought out guns, shot and killed the Eze and two of his aides, and hurriedly fled the palace. On their way, they attacked the office of the Agwa vigilante group, shot one person and made away with three (3) motorcycles. The police operatives armed with information from eyewitnesses traced the escape route in pursuit of the hoodlums.
“Meanwhile, the corpses have been removed and deposited in the mortuary, and the community fortified with enough police operatives,” Police said.
