Gunmen have killed the traditional ruler of Orsu Obodo community in the Oguta Local Government Area, LGA, of Imo State, Eze Victor Ijioma and the traditional prime minister of Mgbele community in the same Oguta LGA.
Credible News reports that the two traditional rulers were murdered in separate attacks on Thursday by fleeing gunmen.
The killers accosted the traditional ruler at Umuamaka junction in the neighbouring Izombe town, and murdered him inside his car before setting his corpse ablaze, a source from Orsu Obodo said.
Also, the Traditional Prime minister of Mgbele was killed in his town, located in the same LGA.
Residents of the two communities have fled their homes for fear of further attacks.
Meanwhile, Police in Imo have begun investigation into the murder of the traditional ruler and traditional prime minister.
Police spokesman in Imo, ASP Henry Okoye, in Owerri on Friday said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Barde, had launched a team of investigators to arrest the fleeing gunmen.
He added that security patrols had been increased in the areas to restore confidence in the minds of residents.
“We are collaborating with the military and we have increased security presence in the areas with the view to arresting the killers.
“The commissioner of police commiserates with the families of the killed community leaders and prays that God gives them the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses”, Okoye said.
Credible News reports that attacks have increased in Imo since the conclusion of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections and March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the country.
In March, five personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were murdered at Okpala community in Ngor-Okpala local government area of the state.
Similarly, five policemen and a couple were murdered in the same Ngor Okpala local government area.
Also just six days ago, two policemen were killed in the same Ngor Okpala, while a Catholic priest was abducted in Okigwe.
