Fear After Gunmen Kill Monarch, 5 Others, Burn Their Corpses

Fear and trembling have taken over after unidentified gunmen a traditional ruler and five others in his entourage burning their corpses.

The monarch killed is Eze Paulinus Ekwueme , who is the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Imo Police Command has now launched an investigation even as Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has paid an on-the-spot assessment of the area.

“‎The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly attack on the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

“‎The deployment followed a distress report received from Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, indicating that armed assailants attacked the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road. Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.

“‎Upon receipt of the report, the CP immediately mobilised and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Assa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased.

“The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.

“‎Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession.

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”In addition, the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area,” Okoye submitted.

Latest reports on the incident is that the corpses of those killed have been retrieved from the scene of the incident and deposited at the mortuary.

According to DSP Okoye, the remains of the victims were retrieved when State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso led operatives to the scene of the attack.

He said this followed distress report at Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, adding:

“Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.”

“The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy”, he added.

Ohaji/Egbema Local Government has become restive in the recent, many of its communities recording succeeding cases of land disputes leading to constant threats and sometimes loss of lives.

A competent source in one of the communities who resides in Lagos, told The Eagle recently that he, like many others no longer felt safe visiting home.

He said there had been a rise in outlaw groups in their community who are ready to kill and maim at the slightest opportunity.

He mentioned land disputes as major reason for the village to village rifts, saying only a holistic intervention by state agents could stem the problem.