Gunmen Kill Abducted Imo Monarch, Edwin Azike, Dump His Corpse At Market Square

Eze Edwin Azike, the traditional ruler of Atta Ancient Kingdom in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, has allegedly been been murdered by gunmen who abducted him.

It was gathered that Azike’s corpse was found at the market square in the community on Friday morning after he was abducted on Thursday morning from his palace.

A source in the community, who disclosed this while speaking with PUNCH, said that four persons were shot dead on Thursday by the gunmen who kidnapped the monarch.

“The traditional ruler of Atta Ancient Kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Eze Edwin Azike, has been murdered. His lifeless body was dumped at the market square and the villagers discovered it this morning.

“He was kidnapped on Thursday and thereafter, the community was invaded which led to the killing of four persons,” the source said.

The Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council/Community Policing in the state, Eze Emma Okeke, described his killing as an abomination, adding the monarchs in the state were saddened by the murder

He said, “We have got the sad news about the killing of Eze Edwin Azike. This is abominable in Igbo culture. I don’t know why traditional rulers are being hunted like this.

“We are not politicians, we are only custodians of the culture of our people. We were informed on Thursday when he was kidnapped, only for him to be found dead, this morning.”

This comes just two months after unknown gunmen killed two traditional rulers during stakeholders’ meeting in Imo State.