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Monarchs in Imo State have decried the worsening insecurity in the country, which has affected the ‘low and mighty’ in the South East, making a strong case for armed protection and assignment of more constitutional roles.
The traditional rulers expressed this in a statement, on Thursday after their meeting in Owerri, Imo State capital.
This came on the heels of the invasion of the palace of the traditional ruler of Ndianiche Arondizuogu, in Ideato North Council of the state, by gunmen, who looted valuables before setting the palace ablaze.
This is the third incident in the last one week. Apart from the monarchs who have been abducted and killed, many homes of individuals have been burnt to ashes in the last few months.
On Wednesday, the country home of the immediate past member representing Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency, Jerry Alagboso, was reduced to rubbles by yet-to-be arrested armed arsonists, after a looting spree.
Read Also: COAS Lagbaja Vows To End Insecurity In South-East
Confirming the current palace invasion incident, the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said: ‘Investigation is ongoing to unmask and arrest the arsonists and bring them to justice.’
On the position of the monarchs on insecurity at the meeting chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Imo State Traditional Institutions/Chairman, Owerri zone Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze David Osuagwu, they urged that more roles should be abdicated to them in an effort to tackle insecurity in the zone.
At the meeting, which also had in attendance other stakeholders, including monarchs from Owerri zone, some political party chieftains from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others, the monarchs lamented the rising spate of killing in Imo and the entire South East, as well as the wanton destruction of life and property.
