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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