Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia Awarra Ohaji, Ochia Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week.
Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killing of the monarch, adding that security operatives had been deployed to ensure the area was safe.
A source said the late monarch had just returned from a trip abroad during the week only to be ambushed and killed by gunmen at the boundary of Assa and Ochia community.
The source privy to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity said some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead, though he could not confirm the number of casualties.
He said the monarch had allegedly left the community following a fracas with some people there and was heading home when he was attacked.
The source alleged that the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.
