Villagers flee as gunmen set monarch’s residence, vehicle on fire in Imo

The people of Ndia Iche Arondizuogu Community in Ideator North Local Goverment Area of Imo State have abandoned their houses and fled for safety following the burning of residence of the community’s traditional ruler, HRH Eze Kanu Ikenolu.

The development has caused panic in the community as the household of the monarch fled into bushes.

The attackers, Tribune Online gathered that on arrival, threw explosives into the mansion which led to the burning of the house, including vehicles parked at the compound.

The heavy attack in the compound of the Monarch affected both his home and his palace.

An eyewithness from the village who pleaded not to be mentioned said that properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed by the arsonists.

He decried the police’s inability to intervene.

He said: “the palace of HRH Eze Ikenolu, the Eze of Ndia iche Arondizuogu has been invaded by the Unknown Gunmen and the people are in the bushes now.”

He regretted the failure of the Police to respond immediately adding that “until now no response from the police about the palace of HRH  Eze Kanu in Ndianiche Arondizuogu, where cars, house and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

He said: “is Arondizuogu no longer part of Imo State?.”

When contacted, the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the arson, saying frantic investigating efforts are on top gear to apprehend the arsonists and bring them to justice.

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