• Gunmen assassinated traditional ruler Josephat Ikegwu in Ebonyi State late Wednesday night, April 1, 2026
• Local officials have expressed concern over the increasing deadly violence in Onicha community in the prominent Southeast state
• Police have launched an investigation into Ikegwu’s unfortunate murder amid rising insecurity in Nigeria

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.

Abakaliki, Ebonyi State – Gunmen have killed Josephat Ikegwu, the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo community in Onicha Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State.

According to Premium Times, Ikegwu was shot dead by the attackers on Wednesday night, April 1.

Sources in the community disclosed that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. when the hoodlums stormed the traditional ruler’s residence.

The gunmen reportedly shot the victim through his window while he was resting alongside his wife in their bedroom. The attack caused tension in the community.

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Ebonyi stakeholder bemoans attack

Ikechukwu Ogbuofia, the chairperson of Onicha LGA, confirmed the incident in an interview.

Ogbuofia said:

“It is an unfortunate incident. I heard they entered his house and shot him through the window.”

Police speak on Ebonyi attack

When contacted on Thursday, April 2, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, also confirmed the incident.

Ukandu stated that the police have begun an investigation into the incident.

He said:

“We have received a report of the incident, and the police have launched an investigation with a view to apprehending and prosecuting all those involved.”

A photo of the slain monarch is available in the Facebook post below:

Insecurity in Nigeria: Tension persists

Nigerian media frequently report crimes linked to armed groups. Officials in the Southeast often point to a separatist group known as the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has campaigned for the region to secede from Nigeria and establish its own republic. The region also continues to grapple with the problem of cultism.

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The killing of the monarch on Wednesday comes shortly after a deadly attack in Jos, Plateau State, in north-central Nigeria, where assaults left at least 28 people dead.

Armed attacks, instability, and cuts to aid are pushing northern Nigeria toward record levels of hunger, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned, according to Al Jazeera.

The United Nations (UN) agency said in a report released in November 2025 that nearly 35 million people in the country’s north are “projected to face severe food insecurity” from May to September 2026.

This is the highest figure recorded in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, by the WFP since it began monitoring food insecurity.

APC secretary arrested over monarch killing

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Ebonyi government confirmed the arrest of the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Simbad Ogbuatu, over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo LGA, Francis Igwe.

Igwe, who is the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted by suspected kidnappers and later died in their custody after reportedly sustaining injuries from physical assault.

Source: Legit.ng