Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.

The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.

The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.

The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.

Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.

“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.

“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.

“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I 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 escape for 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, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”

The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.

“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed 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 the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.

He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.

The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.

Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.

He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)

The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.

A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs  Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the  crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.

“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.

“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.

Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that  the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)

Sen.  Mukhail Abiru (Lagos -East) with other notable personalities on Monday,  inspected the nearly completed SAIL Innovation Lab and Sports Centre at Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

Abiru’s Media Aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun made this known in a statement in Lagos.

He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Feyisola Abiru, and other notable personalities, including Mr Wahid Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation.

Abiru said the impressive facility sited on a sprawling 8,600 square meter prime land, along the road leading to the Lekki Free Trade in Ibeju-Lekki is designed to accommodate a standard football pitch.

“The pitch measures  90 by 45 feet, with a standard indoor Table tennis court, with changing rooms facility and catering service area.”

The senator said the Innovation Lab section would comfortably accommodate 200 trainees and co-working spaces, with the complement of operational offices both at the ground and first floors.

”The innovation lab and sports center are more than just structures; they are symbols of hope, progress, and the future we are building together; a future filled with opportunities for innovation, empowerment, and youth development.

“The world today is driven by innovation and technology.

“Therefore, we must position our young ones for the enormous opportunities that this current era of innovation and tech revolution provides.

“Just as we have done in Ikorodu, we are building a world-class and inspirational facility here, where our young people will be eager to stay and learn,” Abiru said

In his remarks at the palace of the traditional ruler,  Oba Toheeb Oyedele, (Onimedu of Orimedu Land), who is the monarch of the host community of the projects, Abiru commended  the entire people of the community for their support and co-operation.

He added that the innovation lab and sports center are more than just structures; they are symbols of hope, progress, and the future we are building together; a future filled with opportunities for innovation, empowerment, and youth development.

The traditional ruler, however, commended Abiru for spreading his interventions and projects across the zones.

He said the people of his domain and by extension, other communities in the district are proud to have him as their representative in the Nigerian Senate.(NAN)