By SUSPECTED arsonists targeted the palace of Etsu Lokoja, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, early on Saturday, setting his vehicle and other belongings ablaze.
The palace, located at Plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was reportedly attacked around 1:00 a.m.
The monarch narrowly escaped harm by scaling the fence. The attack occurred shortly before the planned Nupe Natives end-of-year event, “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” which was scheduled for December 21, 2024.
Due to the incident, the event was cancelled, disappointing many Nupe natives who had begun arriving from neighbouring states.
Speaking to our reporter on Monday, the Etsu Lokoja recounted the ordeal: “At about 1 a.m., I heard a loud bang on my door. Looking out, I saw my car engulfed in flames.
“Realising it was an attack, I escaped through the back door and scaled the fence.
“I later found neighbours trying to extinguish the fire, but the car and other items were destroyed.”
He revealed that the event planning committee had met until late Friday night, adding that the attack undermined efforts to host a cultural celebration.
Dauda-Shelika urged the government and security agencies to investigate the matter and prosecute those responsible, while appealing to the Nupe community to remain peaceful and avoid retaliation.
Calling for justice, he said: “We appeal to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and security agencies to investigate this attack.
“We also urge the government to recognise and grade the Etsu Lokoja stool, which has existed since pre-colonial times, to prevent such conflicts in the future.”
The monarch alleged that the attack stemmed from objections to the cultural fiesta.
“Lokoja is traditionally Nupe. We invited all stakeholders, including the Maigari of Lokoja, to the event.
“However, the Maigari’s response stated there is no such thing as an ‘Etsu Lokoja.’ This rejection is deeply unsettling, as our existence predates colonialism,” he explained.
He emphasised that the event was purely cultural, not a coronation. “The installation of Etsu Lokoja was completed on January 23, 2024, with a public reenactment on July 27. The fiesta was to celebrate our heritage, not a coronation,” he said, adding that the Nupe community had formally petitioned the government for recognition of the Etsu stool.
The National President of the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Union, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Ndashite, corroborated the monarch’s account.
He described the event as a platform to celebrate Nupe culture and foster peaceful coexistence in Lokoja, lamenting the disruption and urging the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
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