By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Imo State Police Command has said that they have uncovered fresh and more intriguing facts on the gruesome killing of the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, Eze Paulinus Ezekireme.
Ezekireme was, on April 10, 2026, ambushed and gruesomely murdered together with five others by gun men along Assa/Ochia area of same local council.
The late Monarch was said to have been waylaid and attacked by the hoodlums while while traveling out of his domain with five of his cabinet member. Their bodies were burnt together with the vehicle.
Although preliminary findings had earlier linked the incident to the activities of some suspected terrorists elements, however the police, at the weekend, informed that they have discovered fresh facts concerning the development.
According to the Police, there are strong indications that the incident may have been the handiwork of insiders believed to be privy to the itinerary of the late traditional ruler.
The development have forced the police to widen the scope of their investigations with emphasis now shifting from the initial focus on suspected hoodlums to an alleged involvement of some palace insiders.
The Police have however emphasized that despite the fresh leads, all suspects remain innocent until otherwise proven .
The investigation which the Police said is still ongoing was assumed a different dimension following a formal complaint lodged by the deceased monarch’s younger sibling after suspecting a foul play
Following the complaint, the Police were compelled to review and reconstruct the late Monarch’s last itinerary, leading to the interrogation of family members, relations community leaders, including Palace officials and other community members.
The Police emphasized that findings in the course of questioning some individuals resulted in the arrest of the community’s immediate past President-General, Nze Ezekwe David Destiny, popular as ” Akapaka” in connection with the attack and killing of the deceased.
The former President-General has, allegedly, been linked to the planning and financing of the attack on the late Monarch.
Others said to have been apprehended include Martins Amadi , Lucky Azuodi and Fidelis Eluma.
While Amadi and Azuodi, operatives of the local vigilante group, are being investigated for allegedly divulging information about the Monarch’s movement, Eluma is alleged to have provided financial and other logistical support for the execution of the plot.
Similarly, investigators are believed to have embarked on a forensic probe of mobile phone communications , including examination of call logs, financial transactions and bank details of the suspects.
The Police also said a known criminal suspect Dioka Elumah, otherwise known as ” Acid”, who is presently at large, is wanted over his alleged role in the heinous crime.
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