The Palace of the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru community in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State has been razed by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums.
The attackers lit the monarch’s property barely 24 hours after youths and soldiers clashed in the community, Punch reports.
It was gathered that the clash was a result of the killing of a soldier in the community.
In a reprisal attack, aggrieved military men burnt some houses in the community.
According to reports, on Thursday night, attackers stormed the king’s palace with explosives in search of the monarch.
However, they set his house and properties ablaze when they could not find the monarch or family members, including his Highlander Jeep.
The monarch, who took refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters at Mmahu, disclosed that he and his wife narrowly escaped death.
Recounting his losses, the monarch wrote:
“At 10.30 pm of Thursday, 21/10/21, hoodlums came into my compound, broke my window glasses, poured fuel into my rooms, and set my house on fire.
“They were shooting sporadically, and I couldn’t find a way of escape with my wife and child. I started making calls to the police for help, but the help could not come until the building burnt beyond control. My 4runner Jeep burnt to ashes.
“The police came around 11.45 pm but could not get the arsonists. I learnt it was those boys responsible for the killing of the soldier whose houses were set on fire by the Army on reprisal that is responsible for the arson.
“I left my house with only boxers as all properties in my house burnt. As the police arrived, I came out from my hidden point and discovered that the next building to my house is also on fire.
“I am calling for help from any good-spirited person to enable me to survive the shock, as I am now in the police station.”
