The Imo Police Command has confirmed the killing of a Customary Court Judge, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugboma, while presiding over a case.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Friday.
Okoye said the incident happened at Ejemekwuru, in Obudi-Agwa Division, in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
He said the commando has launched a manhunt for the attackers.
“We have started an investigation to fish out the perpetrators of evil deeds so that they can be brought to justice,” he said.
A reliable source told NAN on condition of anonymity that armed men came to the courtroom, dragged him out and shot him in the head and raised him.
“He was just waking up for the day when it happened,” the source said.
NAN learned that some soldiers rushed down to the scene and took the victim to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The source said the attackers went to the spot in a commercial minibus.
NAN reports that the gruesome killing of the 55-year-old Customary Court Chairman has introduced a new dimension to the complex security challenges in the country.
More worried about the security situation in the country.
NAN recalls that on January 24, gunmen attacked and killed Christian Ihim, APC Chairman in Umuchoke ward in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.
The attackers also kidnapped five other party leaders in the community.
Earlier on January 19, gunmen attacked and kidnapped the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area, Christopher Ohizu.
Ohizu, who was abducted from his home in Arondizuogu, along with two others, also had buildings and vehicles destroyed by gunmen.
Also, on December 15, 2022, Labor Party candidate for Onuimo State Constituency, Christopher Elehu, was killed after gunmen set fire to his Okwe state house.
Two weeks ago, gunmen stormed a Police checkpoint at Ihitte Junction on Owerri-Aba Road, Owerri, killing a female police sergeant, Chinyere Obialor, in a gunfight.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Ugochukwu Alinnor, described the killing as “unjust and foreign to us as a people.
“It’s crazy to say the least.
“This is a desperate time and measures must be taken,” said Alinnor.
Also, the state Secretary of the association, Mr Chukwurah Onuorah, condemned the incident, describing the killing of Ugboma as the height of insecurity in the country.
Onuorah said, “The court is a sacred place, in the same way as a Church or a temple.
“The person who presides over the court is a priest and that person is there to give justice.
“Someone who wants to give justice is now facing injustice because of the poor system in the country.”