Tension Hits Enugu Community As Gunmen Assassinate Monarch, 3 Others

Tension and confusion reigned in Nkerefi community in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State on Friday July 10, 2015, as suspected assassins invaded the area in the night, killing the traditional ruler of Isienu Amofu, Igwe Peter Onuoha.
Igwe Onuoha, the Eze Na Chi 1, until his assassination on Friday night, was the Managing Director of Posdonal Nigeria Limited and Secretary of Nkanu East Traditional Rulers Council.

Also, another man, simply identified as Chocho, and another man and his wife, whose identities were yet to be ascertained, were reportedly killed by the gunmen.

Several other members of the community, who were reportedly shot during the attack, which was under the cover of? darkness, were said to be receiving treatment at the Catholic Church-owned, Annunciation Specialists Hospital, Emene, Enugu.

According to sources, the community was thrown into confusion on Friday night when the people heard sporadic shooting rented the air.

Those residing near the palace of the royal father were said to have fled their homes on hearing the gunshots, but some of them were hit by the bullets.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said the royal father and three others were killed in a bloody attack that occurred at Nkerefi on Friday night.

He said that the corpse of the royal father had been deposited at the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre, Enugu, while three other corpses were deposited at Agbani Health Centre in Nkanu West local government area.

The police spokesman said that operatives of the state police command “are already on the matter to unravel the circumstances surrounding their deaths but from available information there seems to be an internal wrangling among the people of the community.”

- Daily Independent