In a distressing incident that has stirred apprehension within the Ndia Iche Arondizuogu community of Imo State, the residence of Eze Kanu Ikenolu, the esteemed traditional ruler, has been subjected to a devastating attack. Unidentified gunmen orchestrated the assault, igniting panic amongst the local populace, with villagers and even the monarch’s own kin hastily seeking refuge within the surrounding thickets.According to reliable sources, the assailants resorted to employing explosive devices to lay waste to the ancestral dwelling, setting ablaze not only the edifice itself but also the vehicles ensconced within the compound and various personal possessions. The resulting inferno wreaked havoc, leaving property estimated to be valued in the millions of naira reduced to ashes.A villager, who chose to remain anonymous, divulged to our correspondent the extent of the devastation, lamenting the extensive losses inflicted by the arsonists. “The palace of HRH, Eze Ikenolu, the Eze of Ndia Iche Arondizuogu, has fallen victim to an incursion by unknown gunmen,” the source conveyed, adding that a sense of insecurity now looms over the community as its inhabitants have been compelled to take shelter in the wilderness.Alarming as the incident is, local law enforcement authorities appear to be grappling with a delayed response. As the concerned informant related, the presence of police officers remained conspicuously absent during the exchange with our correspondent, prompting questions regarding the reach of official protection and jurisdiction. “Or is Arondizuogu no longer part of Imo State?” the source queried rhetorically.Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, confirmed the occurrence of the arson and assured that rigorous measures were being enacted to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and ensure their accountability under the law. “Frantic efforts are on top gear to arrest the arsonists and bring them to justice,” Okoye affirmed, indicating a determination to restore stability and security to the affected community.