Police React As Gunmen Kill Two Imo Traditional Rulers

The Police Command has confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers at Nnenasa in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo.

Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Mike Abattam, told the News Agency of Nigeria in a phone interview in Owerri that the incident occurred on Tuesday.

Abattam, however, said investigations were ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

NAN gathered that the gunmen had on Tuesday stormed a meeting venue of some traditional rulers and stakeholders at Nnenasa where they opened fire, killing the two traditional rulers instantly.

According to a source, who pleaded anonymity, the sudden incident left those who attended the meeting scampering for safety.

“The gunmen shot sporadically, hitting the traditional rulers in the process and left the scene almost immediately,” the source said.

It noted that many people at the scene sustained varying degrees of injuries in the process.

The source gave the names of the affected victims as Eze E. Duruebere of Okwudor autonomous community and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebinowerre autonomous community, both in Njaba.

Before the killing of the two Imo State traditional rulers, Governor Hope Uzodimma had earlier mourned the death of Col. Tanko Zubairu the last military administrator of the state.

This is contained in a release signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Owerri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zubairu served as military administrator of Imo from Aug. 22, 1996 to May 29, 1999 when he handed over to Chief Achike Udenwa, an elected civilian governor.

Uzodimma said Col. Zubairu’s passing was shocking, coming shortly after the state had lost its first Military Administrator, Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu.

He described Zubairu as a disciplined, fearless and God-fearing military officer who had little tolerance for social ills and crime, and was always prepared to fight such negative tendencies wherever they existed in the state.

He added that Imo people could not hurriedly forget how Zubairu’s administration worked tirelessly to stamp out social ills and criminality associated with a few bad eggs hibernating in the society using Imo as a launch pad during his reign.

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