The Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, has described the harrowing experience of narrowly escaping an attack on his palace by suspected assailants who set fire to his vehicle and other property within the premises. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, 2024, around 1:00 AM, at his residence on Plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja.
According to the monarch, he was forced to scale the fence of his palace to flee the attackers, who had also set his car ablaze. The attack occurred on the eve of the much-anticipated “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” a major cultural event organized by the Nupe natives of Lokoja Development Union.
Many guests from neighboring states had already begun arriving for the event, but the assault forced the organizers to cancel the festivities.In an exclusive interview with a reporter who visited the scene, Etsu Lokoja recounted the terrifying sequence of events:
“It was around 1 AM when I heard a loud bang on my door. I woke up to check through the window, wondering what was happening, and that’s when I saw flames coming from my car—it had been set on fire. Realizing this was an attack, I couldn’t risk stepping out the front door for fear of being attacked. So, I escaped through the back and scaled the fence to save my life,” he recalled. The monarch explained that upon reaching the road, he saw his neighbours attempting to extinguish the flames, but unfortunately, the car and other belongings inside were destroyed.
The attack came just hours after a meeting of the event’s planning committee, which had concluded late the previous evening. The cancellation of the cultural fiesta, which was expected to bring together Nupe natives from across the region, left many disappointed. In his statement, Etsu Lokoja called on the government and law enforcement agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the attack and hold those responsible accountable. He also urged the Nupe community in Lokoja to refrain from retaliation and maintain peace while authorities conduct their inquiry.
