- The monarch described the situation as “getting out of hand”
The traditional ruler of Oriendu autonomous community, His Royal Highness Eze Philip Ajomiwe, has expressed deep concern following the discovery of over 30 unidentified bodies, believed to be victims of ritual killings, in his community.
Speaking to his cabinet at his palace on Sunday, Eze Ajomiwe revealed that the bodies were found in the Imo River, with the latest case involving a woman whose remains were recently recovered.
“The bodies, like the recent one, are either completely naked and without their private parts or in a bag,” he said. “There’ve also been cases of two decomposing bodies seen beside the NNPC pipeline.”
The monarch described the situation as “getting out of hand” and warned that the absence of arrests had heightened fear within the community.
Eze Ajomiwe disclosed that the community’s vigilante group had struggled to apprehend the suspects, citing a lack of adequate equipment compared to the assailants.
“So, we’re appealing to the state government to empower the vigilante group with the necessary logistics and the wherewithal to enable it to match the suspects,” he said.
He noted that engaging armed suspects without proper support was perilous, adding that previous complaints to authorities, including a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly on 7 February, had yielded no results.
While appreciating the government’s recent increase in monthly stipends for traditional rulers, Eze Ajomiwe stressed that the funds were insufficient to address insecurity.
“We do not have security votes like the governor to equip our communities’ vigilante groups. The communities need the intervention of the government for peace and security,” he added.
Local authorities are yet to respond to the monarch’s appeal.
—
Discussion about this post