The palace of the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru community in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State has been set ablaze by some yet-to-be identified hoodlums.
It was gathered that the attackers stormed the monarch’s palace with explosives and when they could not find the monarch or any member of his family, they set his house and properties which included his official vehicle on fire.
The traditional ruler said that he and his wife who were in the house when the hoodlums struck, escaped death by whiskers.
He added that he was rescued by police operatives and taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters located at Mmahu.
According to PUNCH, the monarch in a text message explained that, “At 10.30 pm of Thursday 21/10/21 hoodlums came into my compound, broke my window glasses, pour 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 are 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.”