, in the early hours of Saturday, setting his car and other valuables ablaze.){kind=link}
Hoodlums attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika (Nyamkpa IV), in the early hours of Saturday, setting his car and other valuables ablaze.
The monarch narrowly escaped harm by scaling a fence, while neighbors unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire.
The incident occurred just days before the second edition of the Nupe Cultural Fiesta, scheduled for December 21, 2024. The event, which aimed to celebrate Nupe cultural heritage, was canceled following the attack, disrupting the arrival of Nupe natives from neighboring states.
Etsu Lokoja recounted waking to the sound of a loud bang and seeing his car engulfed in flames. Realizing it was an attack, he fled through a back door to ensure his safety.
“My neighbors tried to put out the fire, but the car was completely destroyed,” he told Channels Television.
The monarch called for calm and urged the government and security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also appealed to Nupe natives to remain peaceful and avoid retaliation.
The attack is believed to be linked to tensions surrounding the Nupe Cultural Fiesta. According to Etsu Lokoja, the Maigari of Lokoja had criticized the event and questioned the legitimacy of the Etsu Lokoja title.
“The Maigari claimed there is no Etsu Lokoja, despite our historical existence before the colonial era,” the monarch said.
Etsu Lokoja clarified that the cultural fiesta was not a coronation ceremony, as some had alleged, but a celebration of Nupe heritage. He emphasized the importance of following due process in seeking official recognition for the Etsu Lokoja title, stressing that the Nupe community values peace and harmonious coexistence.
The monarch reiterated his commitment to peaceful dialogue and development for the Nupe people, even as he mourned the disruption of an event meant to showcase their rich cultural traditions.