Suspected hoodlums attacked the palace of the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, Kogi State, in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, 2024, setting his vehicles and other properties ablaze.
The incident occurred at the palace located on Plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja.
Sources reveal that the attackers stormed the premises at about 1:00 a.m., forcing the monarch to flee for his life by scaling the fence.
The attack came on the eve of the second edition of the Nupe Natives’ end-of-year cultural event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta”.
The event, which had drawn Nupe natives from neighboring states, was ultimately canceled.
Recounting the ordeal, HRH Dauda-Shelika told newsmen during a visit to the scene on Monday, “It was around 1 a.m. that I heard a big bang on my door. When I looked through the window, I saw my car engulfed in flames. I knew it was an attack on the palace and couldn’t come out due to fear of being harmed. I managed to escape through the back door and scaled the fence to save my life.”
According to the monarch, neighbours had gathered to extinguish the fire but could not salvage the burnt car and other damaged properties.
HRH Dauda-Shelika appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the attack and bring the culprits to justice.
He urged his people to remain calm, avoid reprisals, and allow authorities to address the situation.
“We are appealing to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and security agencies to use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and ensure justice prevails,” he said.
The monarch also called on the government to officially recognize and grade the Etsu Lokoja stool.
He emphasized, “If the government remains silent, it leaves room for such incidents to persist. Official recognition of the Etsu Lokoja stool would resolve many issues.”
The monarch revealed that the planned Nupe Cultural Fiesta might have been a trigger for the attack.
He explained that invitations had been extended to various stakeholders, including the Maigari of Lokoja, the chairman of the Lokoja Local Government Traditional Council. However, the Maigari had responded by questioning the legitimacy of the Etsu Lokoja title.
“The Maigari said in his letter that there is nothing like ‘Etsu Lokoja.’ This is surprising because the Etsu Lokoja stool predates the colonial era,” Dauda-Shelika said.
He explained that while the Nupe people respect the Maigari’s position, they have their own historical and cultural identity.
The Etsu Lokoja clarified that the cultural fiesta was not a coronation ceremony as rumored but a celebration of Nupe heritage.
“The most important thing for us is the installation of Etsu Lokoja, which we did on January 23, 2024. We reenacted it publicly on July 27, 2024, to emphasize our cultural roots.”
The monarch appealed to the government to include the Nupe community in Lokoja’s development and ensure fairness, equity, and justice.
“Lokoja is our home. If we do not address these issues now, what will happen to our children and future generations?”
The National President of the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Union, Alhaji Abubakar Ndashite, also expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the cultural event.
“This was a celebration of Nupe heritage, not a coronation. We have invested so much in this event and urge the government to bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.
Although the palace was visited by security operatives, including the DPO of the A Division and officials from the Police, DSS, and NSCDC, efforts to get official statements from the police or state authorities proved unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The attack on Etsu Lokoja’s palace underscores the need for government intervention to ensure justice, cultural recognition, and harmony among the diverse communities in Lokoja.
