All is not well in Ogbozine Akpugo, a community in the Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State, where unknown assailants beat to death the traditional ruler, Igwe Steven Nwatu.
During the Monday attack, the assailants were said to have stripped the traditional ruler naked and beat him severely until he lost consciousness.
The traditional ruler’s police escorts were said to have been disarmed by the assailants, who were said to be in large number.
The policemen reportedly fled for dear lives as the hoodlums descended on Igwe Nwatu and beat him unconscious.
Although the monarch was rushed to Parklane Hospital, Enugu, he was confirmed dead there, The Punch reported.
According to reports, the deceased monarch led the policemen to effect the arrest of some of his subjects when the assailants ambushed them.
This was said to be following disagreements between the traditional ruler and some of his subjects, who accused him of highhandedness.
Igwe Nwatu was said to have angered the residents when he allegedly frustrated efforts to install a town union leadership in the community.
According to sources in the community quoted by The Punch, lack of town union leadership allowed the monarch rule as he liked, to the chagrin of his subjects.
Displeasure with Igwe Nwatu’s leadership style was said to have led residents on a protest to the Office of the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
As they failed to get the governor to depose the monarch, the subjects dragged him to court.
Igwe Nwatu reportedly returned from a court appearance on the day of the incident.