A senior Palace Chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Jimah Ogboi, has been murdered, while two of his daughters were abducted.
The attackers stormed his residence on Monday night, opening fire on the chief and killing him on the spot. They also assaulted his wife with a machete and other weapons, leaving her critically injured.
One of his sons, Lucky, explained that he had gone out to buy something when the attack happened. He said he later received information that his father had been killed and rushed home to meet his mother in a severe condition.
A source within the community disclosed that the incident prompted elders to convene an emergency meeting to deliberate on ways to secure the release of the abducted daughters and examine the underlying cause of the assault.
The community’s traditional ruler, Alhaji Amedu Momoh, called on the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene and reinforce security in the area.
He said, “About four of them went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and went away with two of the daughters. Nigerian Police and other security agencies have come here since the incident happened.
“We need assistance in tackling security issues. The government should come and assist us. There has been some calm in our land, but it’s like they have gone to reinforce.”
He further expressed concern over what he described as the increasing menace of suspected herdsmen attacking farmlands in the community.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the development.
She stated that an investigation has commenced, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, is currently in Ekpoma, Edo Central, alongside other senior officers to prevent a recurrence.
She said, “I can confirm the incident and the CP and other top officers of the command to halt incidents like this. For this killing and abduction, the Police have launched an investigation.”
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, three herders were reportedly killed by gunmen along the Dorowa-Jong Road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Thursday.
The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babayo, said the victims were ambushed while returning to Jong community after attending Qur’an Tafsir in Dorowa community at about 7:30 pm.
