Kogi monarch scales palace fence to escape hoodlums’ attack in Lokoja

The Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV has explained how he scaled fence when hoodlums in their numbers attacked his palace.

He explained to media men on Monday, admitting that he jumped over fence to escape the attack, saying when the hoodlums made their way into the palace, they could only burn his vehicle and property within the premises.

He said, he was terrified when the hoodlums mobilized themselves in number and came for him at about 1.00am at his palace located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, and he opted to jump over the fence in an incident that happened on Saturday to escape being killed.

According to him, the Nupe natives of Lokoja Development Union has concluded plans to stage the second edition of their end-of-the-year event, tagged: “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta”, on Saturday, before the incident happened, but was aborted due to the attack.

He lamented that visitors have started arriving Lokoja for the event only to be told that there was an attack, hence, the event will not take place.

Narrating his ordeal on Monday, the Etsu Nupe said: “It was around 1 am at night that I heard a big bang on my door and I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.

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

“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to save my life.

“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire. Unfortunately, the car was burnt as well as other property inside it.”

According to him, there was no prior crisis as a result of the planned event, wondering what might have gone wrong, revealing that members of the planning committee for the event met uptill 11:30 pm on Friday without any disagreements before departing to their various homes.

He called on government to initiate an investigation into the attack as he could not longer return to his palace until he is assured of security.

The monarch appealed to the Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any form of reprisal and continue to remain peaceful, law-abiding and allow government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation on the attack.

“We are appealing to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident, and bring to justice whoever is concerned whether directly or indirectly.

“We also want government to kindly visit our issues by recognizing and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja which had been in existence before colonisation.

“By officially recognising and grading Etsu Lokoja stool, we know everything will be laid to rest because that is the power of the government.”

When our correspondent visited the palace on Monday, a police officer on the ground declined to make comments as he claimed not to have not been authorised to speak on the matter.

Efforts to get the state police command to speak proved abortive as the Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, did not take repeated calls to his mobile number. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.