Gunmen have killed the traditional ruler of Umuihe Autonomous Community, Akaeze, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, His Royal Highness, Omazi Ibo Ubani.

A community leader, who wished not to be named, said that the attack on the community occurred at about 10pm on Friday, May 3, 2024. 

He condemned the killing, stressing that it would be very difficult to get a traditional ruler of Ubani’s nature.

The Coordinator, of Akaeze Development Centre, Chinasa Okorie, described the slain monarch as bold, fearless and intelligent, stating that his wealth of experience would be greatly missed by the community, the local government and the state.

“This is a great loss to the community and Akaeze at large because he is a man of integrity, a man that would be difficult to replace because the man is intelligent, he is bold and he is fearless,” Okorie said.

“The man did not know corruption because at all times, his integrity was always seen. I am very sad about his killing. It is a great loss to Akaeze Development Centre, where I am the leader, Ivo local government and Ebonyi State. His voice is loud in Ebonyi State, he is a first-class traditional ruler. The killing is a very bad incident.” 

Okorie said only security agencies would unravel the cause of the incident and those behind it. 

Another stakeholder from the community, Sinbad Ogbuatu, noted that the incident has caused tension and apprehension in the community, adding that markets and shops around the community could not open for businesses. 

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident, saying that said policemen were on the trail of the killers.