The traditional chief of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechuwude Aninshi, Okonjo II and his entourage are said to have escaped death at the hands of cultists and unidentified thugs who attacked them in the Otulu Ogwashi-Uku community.

The monarch and his entourage were allegedly attacked as they left Otulu Ogwashi-Uku where they had gone to pray with their people.

Ogwashi-Uku is the ancestral hometown of the director of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and the monarch is his blood brother.

A statement from the monarch’s palace made available to DAILY POST said the ruler and his convoy survived the cultists’ attack, but did not disclose whether there were any casualties.

The statement released by Prince Greg Okwumbu, the spokesman for the monarch, said: “Obi and members of the Ogwashi-Uku Council visited Otulu Ogwashi-Uku on Friday, September 17, 2021.

“The visit was largely successful and the Obi met members of the community, prayed with them and discussed some issues with them.

“At the end of the visit and when the Obi left, cultists and thugs imported to Otulu who were aware of the visit attacked members of the entourage who were in the back of the convoy.

“The thugs also attempted to forcibly seize a firearm belonging to a member of the security forces who escorted the Obi during the visit.

“It is important to note that members of the press accompanied the Obi on his visit.

“In addition, law enforcement officers from the area commander office and the brigade command in Asaba were also present during the visit and witnessed everything that happened.

“The people who sponsored the thugs are known to us and will be brought to justice,” the statement said.