Hoodlums attack Kogi monarch, burn vehicle, property

Hoodlums on Saturday attacked the Etsu Nupe Lokoja, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, in his palace, burning his vehicle and some of his properties in the process. The hoodlums were reported to have struck at his palace located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, around 1.00am. However, the monarch was said to have escaped by […]

Hoodlums on Saturday attacked the Etsu Nupe Lokoja, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, in his palace, burning his vehicle and some of his properties in the process.

The hoodlums were reported to have struck at his palace located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, around 1.00am.

However, the monarch was said to have escaped by the whiskers, by scaling the fence to safety.

While recounting his ordeal, the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, said the hooligans invaded his palace around 1.00am, stressing that the banging on his palace gate woke him up.

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“I had a loud bang on my door and I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could be happening.

“Then, I suddenly saw fire coming out of my car, as it had been set ablaze by the attackers.

“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to scale the fence to escape for my life,” he said.

The monarch added that despite the efforts of his neighbours, the fire burnt his car and other belongings in the palace.

The royal father appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack, including bringing the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

He urged the Nupe natives in Lokoja, to avoid any form of reprisal attack, advising them to remain peaceful, law abiding and allow government and security agencies to conduct thorough investigation on the attack.

“I urge my people to remain as peaceful and law-abiding as we have always been because this incident has drawn the attention of government to our issue,” the monarch said.

It was gathered that the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union was planning to host the 2nd Edition of Nupe Natives’ end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta”, on December 21, 2024, before the incident happened.

Meanwhile, the event that has drawn Nupe natives from neighbouring states has been suspended indefinitely due to the attack.

The Kogi State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Williams Aya, did not respond to call and text message over the incident as at the time of filing the report.