Gunmen kill 2 monarchs in Imo, police shift blame

Eze Sampson Osunwa,  Eze E.Anayochukwu Durueburou (Obi 1 of Okwudor)

Eze Sampson Osunwa, Eze E.Anayochukwu Durueburou (Obi 1 of Okwudor)

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa/Owerri

Gunmen have killed two monarchs in Imo, during a meeting with officials of Njaba local council.

Killed were Eze Sampson Osunwa (Ihebinowerre Okwudor Autonomous Community) The second one is Eze E.Anayochukwu Durueburou (Obi 1 of Okwudor)

The killings occurred on Tuesday, but the police are blaming the council for not informing them about the meeting.

Imo Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Hussaini shifted the blame, according to a statement by spokesman of the command, CSP Mike Abattam.

“Since hoodlums razed Njaba Police Division and killed two officers, only policemen on vehicular patrol were posted to the area to help check crime” Abattam said on behalf of Hussaini.

“When the command got wind of the attack, the commissioner of police mobilised the command’s tactical unit to the meeting venue to foil the attack.

“At about 3 p.m., information was received that hoodlums, suspected to be members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) were attacking the venue.

“It was at where the Transitional Chairman of Njaba Local Government Council, Mr Emeka Ihenacho, was holding meeting with some transitional rulers.

“The commissioner of police immediately dispatched the command’s tactical teams to the scene and on their arrival they were informed that the hoodlums had fled into the bush on sighting the police.

“At the scene, it was revealed that the council’s transitional chairman had invited and was having meeting with 15 traditional rulers of Njaba communities without informing the police or other security agencies.

“While the meeting was in progress, bandits suspected to be IPOB/ESN members came and started shooting at them indiscriminately, after which they ran back into the bush.’’

Hussaini commiserated with the bereaved families and that the fleeing bandits would be arrested and prosecuted,’’ the statement read.

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