Unknown assailants on Friday, April 10, killed the monarch of Ochia autonomous community in Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo State, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), also a lawyer. The hoodlums also set his body ablaze after killing him and five yet – to – identified others.

The hoodlums, The Guardian gathered, killed the monarch on the
Asa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

In the last three years or thereabout, no fewer than five monarchs have been murdered by bandits.

‎The Imo police command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed Ekwueme’s killing in a statement he issued on Saturday.

Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), disclosed that the bodies of the monarch and five others had been deposited in the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, for autopsy, as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, who visited the scene, disclosed that he had ordered deployment of a tactical team of the command and sister security agencies with available operational assets to apprehend the fleeing perpetrators.

‎The statement read: “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly attack on the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.”
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‎On how the traditional ruler was attacked, Okoye said: “The deployment followed a distress report received from Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, indicating that armed assailants attacked the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asa Awara Road. Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.”
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‎The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), continued: “Upon receipt of the report, the CP immediately mobilized and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Assa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased. The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.”

Okoye, informed that the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation to arrest the fleeing culprits.
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‎”Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession. Adequate security measures have also been emplaced to forestall any future occurrence of such a tragic incident in the area and its environs.
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‎”In addition, the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area,” he disclosed.
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‎The CP who commiserated withe family of the deceased, assured Imo people of security and peaceful atmosphere, stressing, “While extending condolences to the family of the late traditional ruler and other deceased victims, the CP assures Imolites that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining peace and security in the State, and that in no distant time, the perpetrators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
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‎”He further urges members of the public with credible information that will aid the ongoing investigation to report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Command through the following emergency lines: 0803 477 3600, 08148024755. Further developments will be communicated in due course.”