Oba Maduka Arubaluezema, a traditional title holder in Nri community, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been shot dead.
A community source told journalists that Arubaluezeama, popularly known by his real name, Oba Muozuluaru, was killed on Tuesday night at a construction site where he went to supervise work on his ongoing project.
The community is currently gripped by tension, especially as it is suspected that his murder may have to do with the ongoing dispute in the community over who will become the next traditional ruler.
The community’s traditional stool has been vacant for about eight years, following the death of its traditional ruler, Eze Obidiegwu Onyeso.
Several attempts to crown a new king have been unsuccessful as some indigenous people have become embroiled in a bitter battle over who will be the next king.
The source said Arubaluezeama was murdered around 7pm on Tuesday in Nise, wondering if his dispute with other landowners around his property could be the problem or the fight over royalty, in which the deceased had maintained his voice.
According to the source, “That estate where Oba Muozuluaru is building his house is also in dispute because there are other billionaires who also bought their own land there to build their own houses, but most people are pointing fingers at the controversy surrounding the traditional Nri stool because a gang of suspected cultists had in the past attacked Chief Sunday Alike and inflicted severe machete cuts on him just as he was leaving Oba Muozuluaru’s house.
“Just last year, the commander of the Nri central watchdog, Ogazi, was also killed at night, and many people suspect that the controversy surrounding the traditional stool is the cause of these unfortunate events.
“Furthermore, members of the Nri Nze-na-Ozor traditional society were said to have been attacked a few years ago while holding their meeting at the Agbadani town hall, with many pointing the finger at the controversy over traditional stools as the reason for the attack.”
It was learned that the killers confronted Arubaluezeama at his construction site and ordered him to leave. As he was about to get into his car, he was shot and his brains spilled out instantly.
Newslodge learned that the entire community has gone into mourning due to the popularity of the victim in the area. The source said the community is calling for a thorough investigation by the police.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, Anambra Police Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, denied any knowledge of the incident.