His Majesty Eze Igboke Ewa, Chairman of the Ezza North Traditional Rulers Council, is said to have been murdered.
According to PUNCH Metro investigations, the monarch was shot to death in the state on Sunday evening by gunmen who were thought to be thugs.
In the general elections of 2023, it was alleged that the traditional ruler was killed for not supporting a particular political party.
The victim is a member of the Umuezekoha neighborhood in the state’s Ezza North Local Government Area.
On Tuesday, the incident was confirmed by the government of Ebonyi State.
Governor David Umahi said in a statement that the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uchenna Orji, had instructed security agencies to enter the Ezza North council for a rescue mission because anyone found to be responsible for the monarch’s death would be arrested.
Keep in mind that some assailants made an attempt on the life of the traditional ruler sometime in 2022.
The criminals set fire to his wife’s shop at Ahiaofu on the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway.
The Commissioner says, “It has been brought to the attention of the Governor of Ebonyi State that just this evening, Sunday, February 26, 2023, the Chairman of the Ezza Traditional rulers council, His Majesty Eze Igboke Ewa, was shot to death this night by people who are thought to be political thugs for not supporting a particular party.” This was the case on February 26th, 2023.
“The Governor is aware that a number of candidates have been making statements that are provocative and incitemental regarding the results of the election in Ebonyi State. The Ebonyi State Governor warns that no position in life is worth the life of another.
“His Excellency the Governor has given the go-ahead for the entire state’s security apparatus to move into Ezza North in order to carry out a rescue mission. The immediate arrest of anyone involved in His Highness’s death is required.
“The Governor urges all State leaders and candidates who will never accept the election result to submit petitions to INEC or security agencies, then makes instigating statements that could cause a crisis in the state.
“His Excellency, the Governor will detain anyone who holds press conferences or uses social media to motivate those who are to blame for any crisis in the state breaking out.
“The Governor appeals to the people of Ebonyi, particularly our youth, not to become accustomed to murder.
“Please, we have no other option in Ebonyi State than peace.”