How Okonjo-Iweala’s Brother Escaped Assassination

How Okonjo-Iweala’s Brother Escaped Assassination

His Royal Majesty Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, Obi of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has averted what looked to be an assassination plot.

Royal-Majesty-Ifechukwude-Aninshi-Okonjo-II

iexclusive News Nigeria reports that the attack on the traditional ruler’s convoy, which was led by his younger brother, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), left at least one person dead and two vehicles burned.

Moreover, numerous vehicles were reportedly wrecked during the incident, which occurred on Friday, but the monarch and his palace leaders somehow escaped unharmed, according iexclusive News Nigeria.

According to conflicting sources, the brutal attack on the convoy of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom’s royal father was carried out by “some enraged teenagers in the (neighboring) Otulu satellite town,” while another account stated it was carried out by “some secret cult members.”

The traditional king of Ogwashi-Uku is claimed to have taken a high-calibre team to the satellite town, consisting of members of his Obi-in-Council and certain community leaders, to execute specific customary ceremonies, including prayers, in order to introduce peace and quiet into the entire community.

According to eyewitness accounts, several Otulu teenagers built a bonfire on the town’s main road to surround the monarch’s entourage and prevent him from leaving the town after conducting the ceremonies.

The enraged teenagers allegedly ignored all entreaties from the Obi’s younger brother, Prince Onyema Okonjo, and security personnel to allow the Obi to have his right of way.

iexclusive News Nigeria reports that the Otulu youths recently embarked on a protest march, demanding that relevant authorities in the state grant the Otulu satellite community autonomous status, according to iexclusive News Nigeria.

In the subsequent pandemonium, one of the protesting adolescents was claimed to have been injured by a bullet as security personnel sought to disarm the youths and remove the flaming barrier.

The enraged youngsters attacked the monarch’s escort, setting fire to two vehicles and destroying several more.

While confirming the report yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the Ogwashi-Uku king had gone to Otulu, a satellite town of Ogwasi-Uku, to perform some traditional rites, and a certain fence fell in the process, prompting the youths to go on a rampage.

As a result, two automobiles were set on fire, and the teen who was hit by a stray bullet died.

Meanwhile, the traditional monarch has stated that Otulu is still a part of the Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, emphasizing that attempts by a few to separate the territory from Ogwashi-Uku as an autonomous community were unjustified and inappropriate.

The incident was also confirmed in a statement released yesterday by the monarch’s palace, which blamed the attack on cultists.

“Obi and members of the Council of Ogwashi-Uku visited Otulu Ogwashi-Uku Friday, September 17, 2021,” the monarch’s spokesman, Prince Greg Okwumbu, said in a statement.

“The Obi met people of the community, prayed with them, and talked with them about certain issues during his visit, which was mainly fruitful.

“In the conclusion of the visit, as the Obi was leaving, cultists and thugs who had been informed about the visit attacked members of the entourage who were at the back of the convoy.

“The attackers also tried to take a gun from a law enforcement officer who was accompanying the Obi on his visit. It’s worth noting that the Obi was accompanied by members of the press on his visit.

“As well, law enforcement personnel from the Area Commander’s office and the Brigade Command in Asaba were there at the visit and witnessed all that happened,” he added, adding,

“The persons who funded the thugs are known to us and will be brought to justice.”