From Tony Icheku in Owerri 


A combined team of security chiefs in Imo State including the  Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, a  representative of the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Major AI Maikarfi; Commandant NSCDC,  Mathew Ovye accompanied by the Sole Administrator of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi,  and other security agencies on Sunday visited Umucheke Community in Onuimo LGA  where on Saturday evening gunmen shot dead the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community,  Hyginus Ohazurike, plus six village heads from the  community, all members of the community's traditional ruler's cabinet.


In a statement issued  by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO,  Henry Okoye, CP Aboki Danjuma  assured the residents of  Umucheke community that the Command under his watch will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the killers of Eze Umucheke’s cabinet members are all arrested and brought to justice.


Okoye, in the release stated that  “The Command’s tactical units, in synergy with the other security agencies and the local vigilantes, are presently combing the surrounding forests in Onuimo communities, for possible apprehension of the fleeing suspects”.


He further assured that a detachment of the command’s tactical unit would be stationed permanently at the Community to evade any further threat of attack until peace returned to the community.


The Police boss  condemned the tragic incident  describing it as  barbaric, inhumane, and a senseless act of violence. He commiserated with the families of the bereaved and the entire Umucheke community over the  demise of their loved ones and vowed that their deaths would certainly not go unpunished


THISDAY reports that on Saturday evening, armed assailants shot dead Ohazuruike, the PGof Umucheke Okwe Autonomous Community and  six village heads from the same community, and set his shop ablaze


The gunmen struck while the victims were holding a meeting at the PG’s shop in the community's market square 


The villagers deserted the village after the attack 


credit: THISDAY