With seven monarchs killed, Ebonyi, Imo emerge insecurity-prone South-East states

…Residents demand urgent security agencies’ intervention against violence

Killing of monarchs in South-East seems to take a new turn as the recent killing of Josaphat Ikegwu, the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has brought the number of monarchs murdered, with unsuccessful Police investigations, to seven in a space of four years.

The latest killing came barely one month after suspected kidnappers murdered an Eze, Francis Igwe, the traditional Prime Minister of Ndufu Alike Ikwo and father of a former deputy governor of Ebonyi State.

The April 1, 2026 killing has made it four traditional rulers killed within three years in Ebonyi State, but three were killed in Imo State between 2022 and 2023, bringing the number to seven monarchs killed in recent time.

Several traditional rulers were killed in the South-East Region between 2022 and early 2026, with Ebonyi and Imo States, emerging highest in terms of monarchs’ killings, often at the hands of gunmen, records show, but traces of assailants discovered by Police and other Security Agencies up to date.

These killings are known to be part of a broader security crisis in the region, which has seen over 1,800 deaths, including traditional leaders, in recent years.

A monarch, Francis Igwe, in Ebonyi State, who was the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area was abducted on March 1, 2026, and confirmed killed by his abductors on March 2, 2026.

Another monarch in Ebonyi State, Umazi Ibo Ubani, the traditional ruler of Umuihe Autonomous Community in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area, was murdered in his Palace by gunmen on May 3, 2024.

Another royal father in the same State, Ezeogo Christopher Igboke Ewa, the Isi Ozor I of Umuezeokoha in Ezza North Local Government Area, was shot dead in his Palace in February 2023; while Ambrose Okorie, the king of Isu in Onicha Local Government Area, was abducted from his Palace in June 2022; according to records, his body was not found, but he is considered deceased.

Outside Ebonyi State, Ignatius Asor, the traditional ruler of Obudi-Agwa community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, was executed in his Palace by gunmen on November 14, 2022. One monarch, Anthony Amadi of Amaohuru autonomous community in Nguru Aboh Mbaise lGA was also murdered in his bedroom by unknown gunmen who suspected he submitted names of bad boys to government.

In Abia State, Eric Ihevueme, the traditional ruler of Eziama Nunya in Isiukwuato Local Government Area, was murdered in his residence by gunmen, as stated by records.

Ebonyi State has recently reported multiple monarch killings, with local reports labeling traditional rulers as an “endangered species”. Imo State was hit hard between 2021-2022, with several leaders in the Njaba LGA killed.

Many of these murders are carried out by gunmen in palaces, targeting traditional leaders as intermediaries in local disputes or as part of general instability in the region.

Reports cite ‘unknown gunmen’, with some authorities attributing attacks to splinter cells operating in the region. An ex-militant in Rivers State has already claimed responsibility, saying he has men ‘fighting’ in the South East. This has raised eyebrows, forcing many to wonder if such secret armies fighting in the East with the knowledge of government is not the cause of the numerous assassinations of prominent persons in the region especially monarchs.

The latest incident is said to have heightened tension in Ebonyi State, especially in Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area, as Ishinkwo community has been embroiled in a protracted conflict with neighbouring Abaomege community. No group has, however, been identified as responsible for the attack.

Ikechukwu Ogbofia, the chairman of the local government area, when contacted on phone, confirmed the killing and said Police were investigating the incident.

Efforts to get official confirmation from the police proved abortive, as Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, promised to revert with details but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, youths from the community were said to have gathered at the scene Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, before conveying the remains of the monarch to a nearby morgue.

Residents are now calling for urgent intervention by Security Agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order, as investigations into the incident were expected to commence.

No successful prosecution is seen to have been carried out in any of the numerous killings of monarchs in the region so far.