Tragedy struck in Imo State on Friday, April 10, 2026, as suspected gunmen ambushed and killed the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside five others, before setting their bodies ablaze.
The attack, which occurred along the Asaa–Awara Road, has sent shockwaves across the community, with residents describing the incident as both brutal and horrifying.
A community source said the monarch and his entourage were attacked by heavily armed assailants who opened fire on them before burning their corpses.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed that a full-scale manhunt has been launched to apprehend those responsible.
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, had immediately deployed tactical teams and personally visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies, to hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly attack on the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA,” Okoye stated.
He explained that the police received a distress call from the Ohaji Division shortly after the attack.
“The deployment followed a distress report received from Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, indicating that armed assailants attacked the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road.
“Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.”
Okoye further revealed that security operatives who arrived at the scene recovered the charred remains of the victims.
“Upon receipt of the report, the CP immediately mobilized and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Assa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased. The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.”
He added that investigations are underway, with security agencies intensifying efforts to track down the attackers.
“Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession.
“In addition, the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area,” he said.
The gruesome killing has heightened concerns over security in the area, with residents calling for urgent and decisive action to prevent further violence.
