Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma has issued Staff of Office to 51 newly elected traditional rulers in the State with a charge on them to be guided by the tradition and culture of their people.

Uzodimma, who performed the Staff of Office ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Chamber Government House, Owerri, also advised them to always stand on the side of truth and justice in the discharge of their duties and to be traditional rulers over everybody in their communities.

He had met with the families of the three traditional rulers from Njaba and Okigwe Councils who were killed by bandits last year.

The deceased monarchs were Eze Sampson Osunwa, Eze Edwin Azike, and Eze A.E. Duru Eburuo all from Njaba Council while the fourth monarch from Ihitte Ihube in Okigwe was Eze Paul Ogbo.

The Governor regretted the circumstances the monarchs were killed, describing their death as a big loss to their families, communities and government.

He used the occasion to call on politicians to desist from using bandits to terrorize Imo people and said government must show concern about the monarchs who were killed because they were among the best in the State.

Uzodimma later handed over Cheques he called “palliatives” to the widows of the slain monarchs as well as to other traditional rulers who survived the bandits attacks but with harrowing experience.

The Governor reminded the new monarchs that they are not just the custodians of their communities’ culture and tradition but represents the people and government of the State before the outside world.

He said apart from ensuring that unity and peace reign in their areas, the security of lives of their people should be part of their primary responsibility.

Uzodimma enjoined them to help fish out the bad eggs in their communities whether operating as bandits or unknown gunmen and ensure that they report the activities of the bad people in their domain to the government for appropriate action.