Again, gunmen, at the weekend, invaded another Imo monarch’s palace, setting ablaze his palace and vehicles parked in the compound, while injuring some of his subjects.

The monarch, Kanu Ekenoku, of Ndia Ichie Aroundizuogu, Ideato North Council of Imo State, is said to be in pain since the invasion, which occurred at about 9:00 p.m.

Residents of the area have remained in fear after the incident, as some of them were also attacked, carting away their valuables in the process. Already, some of the residents of the community have deserted their homes as a result.

According to sources, the hoodlums gained entrance into the compound after scaling the fence, detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), which engulfed the palace.

Recall that for about two years, several monarchs in the state have been abducted, killed or had their palaces burnt to ashes. The motive behind the attacks on palaces of traditional rulers is yet unknown.

Last week, no fewer than three persons from the Orlu zone had their homes torched by arsonists. They included a monarch, a traditional ruler-elect and an ex-House of Representatives member, who represented Orlu/ Orsu/ Oru East Federal Constituency, Jerry Alagboso.
The former lawmaker suffered the attack after his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about two weeks ago.

The state police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, saying security operatives were investigating the incident, while assuring that the culprits would be apprehended and prosecuted.

Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, at the weekend, urged the people of Mbaise, under the auspices of Ezuruezu Mbaise, comprising three councils (Ahiazu, Ezinihitte and Aboh Mbaise), to maintain peace as they celebrate their age-long yearly iriji (new yam festival). This came on the heels of claims of supremacy over the event by a factional group, Olu Oha Mbaise.

Receiving the Central Planning Committee (CPC) members of the festival, led by Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, and the Publicity/Media sub-committee, chaired by Amby Uneze, other representatives of the Ezuruezu Mbaise, monarchs from Mbaise, Ndi Ezeji Mbaise and sole administrators of Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise councils, the governor reminded them that Mbaise people are important set of Nigerians who should not allow acrimony to becloud their important cultural event, urging the faction (Olu Oha) to collapse its structure into Ezeruezu Mbaise, while taking directives from the central planning committee.

Uzodimma also promised to attend the event, assuring them of a hitch -free event.

Speaking earlier, Nwala said the committee and some prominent sons and daughters of the area had come to inform the governor about the event, while inviting him to celebrate with them. He hinted that they had made some progress in organising a successful event.

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