The traditional ruler of the Etekwuru Autonomous Community in the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Kenneth Okereke, whose palace was burnt by arsonists on Thursday, has appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma and other well-spirited Nigerians to help him rebuild the edifice.

The monarch said in a statement that he escaped from his palace in his boxers when the attackers struck.

Calling on Uzodimma and others to come to his rescue, Okereke lamented that he lost everything during the attack, including his Sport Utility Vehicle.

The statement read in part, “I am the traditional ruler of Etekwuru community in Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State. Around 10.30pm on Thursday, October 21, 2021, hoodlums came into my compound, broke my window glasses, poured fuel into my rooms and set my house on fire. They were shooting indiscriminately in my compound and my family couldn’t find a way of escape.

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“I started making calls to the police for a help, but the help could not come until my building got burnt beyond control. My 4runner SUV was burnt to ashes. The police came around 11.45pm but could not get the arsonists. Reliable evidences have proved that those boys responsible for the killing of the soldier, and whose houses were set on fire by the Army on reprisal were responsible for the arson.

“I left my house only in my boxers as all properties in my house were burnt. The police later arrived and saw for themselves as I came out to explained to them; we saw that the next building to my own was also on fire. Three persons were identified among the arsonists. Reports of this have officially been made to the police.”

He asked the state government to deploy a strong team of security agents to the community to protect the lives and properties of innocent persons.

Okereke added, “I never took soldiers to the places they went in search of the killers of their member, but these killers have turned the war against me that I was the one taking the soldiers round.

“I have been made homeless by these boys and have nowhere to live. I am calling for help from the state government and good-spirited persons to enable me survive the shock.”