Nigeria, May 6 -- Gunmen have killed a traditional ruler in Ebonyi State, south-east Nigeria.

The victim, Umazi Ubani, is the traditional ruler of Umuihe Community in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Ubani was killed when the hoodlums invaded the community on Friday.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that there were heavy shootings by the gunmen in the community during the invasion.

The development forced frightened residents of the community to scamper for safety.

The Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Chinasa Okorie, confirmed the incident.

Mr Okorie condemned the killing of the monarch, stressing that it would be very difficult to get another traditional ruler of his kind.

"Around 10 p.m. last Friday, I received a ...