Unknown Gunmen Kill Abducted Imo Traditional Ruler, Dump Body In Market Square

The traditional ruler of Atta kingdom in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, Edwin Azike has been murdered about twenty-four hours after he was kidnapped by gunmen.

Naija News understands the monarch was abducted from his palace after which he was whisked to an unknown destination by the attackers.

The king has now been murdered by his abductors.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesman in the state, Michael Abattam on Friday said the lifeless body of the abducted monarch was discovered in a car.

“Yes, it is true. The traditional ruler was abducted and later found dead in a car.

“We are investigating the matter,” he said.

A community source who was quoted by Punch to have spoken anonymously on the matter stated that the body of the slain monarch was dropped in the market square where villagers discovered it on Friday morning.

The source said, “The traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Eze Edwin Azike, has been murdered. His lifeless body was dumped at the market square and the villagers discovered it this morning. He was kidnapped on Thursday and thereafter, the community was invaded which led to the killing of four persons.”

Also, the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the state, Eze Emma Okeke, lamented the unfortunate incident which has thrown the entire community into mourning.

He described the killing of the monarch by gunmen as abominable, wondering why anyone would want to kill him.

He said, “We have got the sad news about the killing of Eze Edwin Azike. This is abominable in Igbo culture. I don’t know why traditional rulers are being hunted like this. We are not politicians, we are only custodians of the culture of our people. We were informed on Thursday when he was kidnapped, only for him to be found dead, this morning.”