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Saturday 30 January 2016

Delta Elder Blames Monarch’s Kidnap, Death on Lack of Protection


As the people of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State still grapple with the sudden death of their king, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III by suspected Fulani herdsmen, a prominent chief in the area, Chief Fruitful Mekwunye has blamed the kidnap and eventual death of the monarch on the security situation in the State.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard recently, Chief Mekwunye, who is also the ‘Ekwueme’ of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, said that the state government was not doing enough to protect traditional rulers. “First class kings in other regions are not exposed to such risks”, he said, adding: “Before our monarch was abducted and killed, you would never see any security personnel around him; he went around without security. That is why the rate of kidnapping in the state is alarming. It was in this same area that Okonjo-Iweala’s mother was kidnapped. Government should do something about this and unravel the killers of the monarch.”

Speaking further, the chief said the people of Ubulu-Uku “want security agents to do thorough investigation. If the police want to start their investigation, they should refer to the first kidnap attempt which failed. The case file is with the police at the headquarters in Asaba. We are appealing to the government to intensify investigation into the matter so that the culprits can be brought to book. Justice must prevail.”


Recalling the transformation the late monarch brought to the kingdom, Chief Mekwunye said: “Before, you hardly see a young man coming back to the community to establish businesses or build good houses, but when he became king, he destroyed all rituals and their shrines in the community for Christianity to have its way. He believed in God which endeared him to some of us.”

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