By CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA

Yet-to-be identified hoodlums have set ablaze the palace of the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru community in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

His highlander jeep and properties were not spared as the attackers supervised the razing.

The incident which happened Thursday night came just 24 hours after youths and soldiers clashed in the community.

The clash led to the killing of a soldier and in a reprisal attack, the enraged military men burnt some houses in the agrarian community.

On Thursday night, the attackers stormed the king’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 told our correspondent that he was taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters located at Mmahu.

He said that he and his wife who were in the house when the hoodlums struck, escaped death by whiskers.

The monarch who said that he was rescued by police operatives, decried that he left his palace half-naked.

Calling on the public to come to his rescue, the monarch said that he had lost a lot to the attack.

In a text message sent to our correspondent, the monarch said, “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.” (The PUNCH)

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