Police authorities on Monday announced that it successfully repelled an attempt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN group to raze the palace of Eze Imo, Dr E. C. Okeke at Ezioha Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government Area.
One person has been reported dead in the wake of the attack that left residents scampering for cover during the gun duel.
In a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abattam, the gunmen had stormed the palace around 1pm on Monday.
He said; “The strategy of the police paid off as the Command’s tactical teams working in synergy with vigilante group of the area were able to repel the attack/attempt to set the palace of Eze Imo; HRH Eze Dr E. C. Okeke on fire by men suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN group at Ezioha Amaifeke in Orlu LGA of lmo state.
“The hoodlums, in their numbers, besieged the palace of the traditional ruler armed with assorted weapons but were subdued by the superior fire-power of the Command’s tactical teams and in the process, one of the hoodlums was neutralised. While others fled into the bush with bullet injuries.
The police spokesman said that in the course of frisking the body of the neutralised bandit, several charms were founding around his waist.
He added; “Other items also recovered includes one ID Card, one locally made improvised electronic device, five bottles containing fuel, cash of #20,000.00 (twenty thousand naira) only and one Pump Action Gun with four live cartridges.
“Meanwhile, the command’s tactical teams are presently combing the bush with a view of arresting the fleeing members of the gang and to recover more arms and other dangerous weapons,” he said.
In recent times, WuzupNigeria has reported a rise in the number of coordinated attacks and abductions of traditional rulers leading to deployment of heavy police presence in some of the palaces in the South East states.
No fewer than five traditional rulers have so far been killed and several others abducted.
