On Monday, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, the Etsu Lokoja and Nyamkpa IV, recounted a harrowing escape from an attack on his palace by suspected hoodlums.
The assailants set his vehicle and several other property within the palace compound ablaze during the early hours of Saturday morning.
In a desperate bid to save himself, the monarch revealed that he had to scale the palace fence to flee to safety.
The attack took place around 1:00 AM at the palace, located on Plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja.
The timing was particularly devastating, as it coincided with preparations for the second edition of the Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta, an annual celebration organized by the Nupe natives of Lokoja Development Union.
The event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, had already begun to attract many guests from neighboring states, but the violent assault forced its abrupt cancellation, leaving the community in shock and disarray.
Recounting his experience to The Punch’s correspondent who visited the scene on Monday, the Etsu Lokoja, 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.
Appealing to the state government and security agencies, Dauda-Shelika said: “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.”
