The Otulu Autonomous Community in Imo State’s Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA was traditionally ruled by His Royal Highness, Eze Joe Achulor, who was slain on Saturday by gunmen.

Unidentified gunmen are said to have kidnapped the monarch on Saturday morning from his Otulu palace.

A village source told reporters that the dead body of the king was found on Saturday night along Mbutu Community Road in the neighboring community of Aboh-Mbaise LGA.

The development comes just a few days after thugs in the same Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA shot and killed Chiedoziem Anyanwu, the PDP chairman for the Ife/Okpodim/Chokoneze ward.

“Eze Joe Achulor has been murdered by unidentified gunmen after he was whisked away yesterday morning. The gunmen did not demand any ransom as all efforts to locate their whereabouts proved abortive.

“Unfortunately, on Saturday night, we discovered his dead body along Mbutu Community road.

“This is tragic! It is terrifying. I do not know why this insecurity is left to thrive in Imo and many lives have been destroyed. The government needs to do something drastic to curtail this”, the source shared.

When contacted, the Imo Police Spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and urged calm because the command was on top of the situation.

He also stated that the command is open to anyone who has relevant information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.

“However, the Commissioner of Police has declared a manhunt on the killers of the Traditional Ruler.