Okonjo-Iweala’s brother, king of Ogwashi-Uku attacked by ‘cultists’, one killed

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From Jake Aimua in Asaba

 

 

Traditional ruler, HRM Ifechukwude Okonjo II, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, escaped death by whiskers following an attack on his convoy at Otulu, a satellite town of Ogwashi-Uku.

 

The traditional ruler, a blood brother of the Director-General of World Trade Centre (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who hails from Ogwashi-Uku

 

The attack left a young man dead while two vehicles in the convoy were burnt following the incident, which occurred on Friday.

 

Some vehicles were reportedly destroyed during the incident but THISDAY learnt that HRM Okonjo II and some of his chiefs escaped unhurt.

 

The Ogwashi-Uku king was said to have led a high-calibre team, comprising members of his Obi-in-Council and some community leaders to Otulu to perform certain traditional rites and prayers to usher peace and tranquility to the Ogwashi-Uku community.

 

Eyewitness accounts said that some youths of Otulu community made bonfire on the road leading to the town in an attempt to stop the monarch’s convoy from departing the town after performing the said rites.

 

All apoeal by the Obi’s younger brother, Prince Onyema Okonjo and security personnel present at the scene, to let the Obi pass through fell on deaf ears as the irate youths remained adamant.

 

According to the report, some youths from Otulu recently embarked on a protest march, asking relevant authorities to grant Otulu, a satellite community of Ogwashi-Uku, autonomy.

 

One of the protesting youths was said to have been killed after being hit by a bullet as some youths allegedly attempted to disarm a security personnel who tried to dismantle the barricade and bonfire.

 

The sight of one of their colleague’s blood reportedly infuriated the protesting youths, who then launched attack on vehicles in the Monarch’s convoy with two of them burnt and several others damaged.

 

The state Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), while confirming the report on Saturday, said that the Ogwashi-Uku king had gone to Otulu, a satellite town of Ogwasi-Uku, to perform some traditional rites and, in the process, a certainn fence fell, prompting to the youths to go on the rampage.

 

Consequently, two vehicles were burnt while the youth who was hit by stray bullet eventually died.

 

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler has affirmed that Otulu remains part and parcel of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, stressing that the agitation by a few to carve out Otulu from Ogwashi-Uku as an autonomous community was unwarranted and unacceptable.

 

A statement from the palace of the monarch on Saturday also confirmed the incident, blaming the attack on cultists was silent on whether there was any casualty from the entourage of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, who the statement said his “survived the cultists’ attack” on the convoy.

 

A statement by Prince Greg Okwumbu, spokesman of the monarch, said, “Obi and members of the Council of Ogwashi-Uku visited Otulu Ogwashi-Uku Friday, September 17, 2021.

 

“The visit was largely successful and the Obi met members of the community, prayed with them and discussed with them about some issues.

 

“At the end of the visit and when the Obi was departing, cultists and thugs imported into Otulu who were aware of the visit attacked members of the entourage who were at the rear of the convoy.

 

“The thugs also attempted to forcefully seize a gun belonging to a law enforcement member who escorted the Obi on the visit. It is important to note that members of the press accompanied the Obi on the visit.”

 

“Also, law enforcement agents from the office of the Area Commander and the Brigade Command in Asaba were also there at the visit and witnessed everything that happened”, he noted, adding, “The people who sponsored the thugs are known to us and will be brought to justice.”

 

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