The Chairman of the Ezza North Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Igboke Ewa, was reportedly killed on Sunday evening in the state by unknown gunmen believed to be thugs. The monarch’s assassination was allegedly due to his refusal to endorse a specific political party in the upcoming 2023 general elections. Eze Igboke Ewa hailed from the Umuezekoha community in the Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
On Tuesday, the Ebonyi State Government confirmed the incident and condemned the brutal killing. In response, Governor David Umahi has directed security agencies to move into the Ezza North council immediately to conduct a rescue mission and apprehend all those responsible for the heinous crime.
It is worth noting that this is not the first attack on the traditional ruler’s life. In 2022, he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by assailants who set fire to his wife’s shop at Ahiaofu along the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway. The repeated attacks on the monarch and his family have caused shock and outrage in the state and beyond.
The Commissioner of information states, “It has been brought to the attention of the Governor of Ebonyi State that just this evening, Sunday, February 26, 2023, the Chairman of Ezza Traditional rulers council, His Majesty Eze Igboke Ewa, was shot dead this night by people suspected to be political thugs for not supporting a particular party.
“The Governor is aware that a number of candidates have been making provocative and inciting statements about the election results in Ebonyi State. The Governor of Ebonyi State warns that no position in life is worth another person’s life.
“His Excellency the Governor is directing the whole Security apparatus of the State to move into Ezza North for a rescue mission. Anybody whose hand is in the killing of His Highness must be arrested immediately.
“The Governor appeals to all leaders of the State and the candidates who will never accept the election result to send their petitions to INEC or to security agencies, then making inciting statements that could generate crisis in the state.
“His Excellency, the Governor will hold anyone doing press conferences or social media to incite people responsible for any outbreak of the crisis in the state.
“The Governor appeals to Ebonyi people especially our youths not to be used to taking the life of another person.
