By: Bayero Ade
Hoodlums attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika (Nyamkpa IV), early on Saturday, setting his car and other valuable items on fire. The monarch managed to escape unharmed by climbing a fence, while his neighbors tried but failed to extinguish the flames.
The attack occurred just days before the second edition of the Nupe Cultural Fiesta, scheduled for December 21, 2024. The event, aimed at celebrating the Nupe cultural heritage, was canceled due to the attack, disrupting plans for the arrival of Nupe natives from neighboring states.
Etsu Lokoja described how he woke to a loud bang and saw his car on fire. Realizing he was under attack, he fled through a back door for safety. “My neighbors tried to put out the fire, but the car was completely destroyed,” he told Channels Television.
The monarch has called for calm, urging the government and security forces to fully investigate the attack and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable. He also appealed to Nupe natives to avoid retaliation and maintain peace.
The attack is believed to be connected to ongoing tensions over the Nupe Cultural Fiesta. Etsu Lokoja explained that 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 event, as some had wrongly assumed, but a celebration of Nupe culture. He emphasized the importance of following proper procedures in seeking recognition for the Etsu Lokoja title, highlighting the Nupe community’s commitment to peace and coexistence.
Despite the disruption, the monarch reaffirmed his dedication to fostering peaceful dialogue and development for the Nupe people.
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