Following the attack on and murder of the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Audu Garba Bosso, has deployed tactical units to work in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the act.
The deployment, according to a statement by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, followed a distress report received in Ohaji Division on Friday, April 10, at about 4:30p.m., on the attack which resulted in the monarch’s death alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the tactical teams dispatched to the scene at Assa by the Commissioner of Police Assa recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased.
The PPRO said that the remains of the victims had been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.
The incident led the Commissioner of Police and his management team on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community, where he reassured residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area.
Extending condolences to the family of the late traditional ruler and other deceased victims, the CP assured that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining peace and security in the State.
He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession.
He promised that perpetrators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
CP Bosso said that security measures had been put in place to forestall reoccurrence of such a tragic incident in the area and its environs.
He also urged members of the public with credible information that would aid the ongoing investigation to report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Command through the following emergency lines: 0803 477 3600 and 08148024755.
