Gunmen have killed a senior palace chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and abducted two of his daughters.
The victim, Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi, was reportedly attacked at his residence on Monday night. According to sources, the assailants invaded the home and shot him at close range. His wife was also assaulted with machetes and other dangerous weapons, leaving her critically injured.
One of the deceased’s sons, Lucky, said he had briefly stepped out to buy an item when the attack occurred.
“I received a call that my father had been shot. When I returned home, I met my mother in a critical condition, and my two sisters had been taken away,” he said.
A community source revealed that the attack triggered an emergency meeting of elders to consider measures aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted daughters and addressing the factors behind the incident.
The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Alhaji Amedu Momoh, called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and reinforce security in the area.
“About four armed men went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and abducted two of his daughters. The Nigerian Police and other security agencies have been here since the incident occurred,” he said.
“We need assistance in tackling security issues. The government should come to our aid. There had been relative calm in our land, but it appears the attackers have regrouped.”
The monarch also raised concerns over what he described as increasing attacks on farmlands by suspected herdsmen.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations were underway.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was in Ekpoma, Edo Central, alongside other senior officers to assess and address the security situation.
“I can confirm the incident. The Commissioner of Police and other top officers are currently in the area to forestall further attacks. The police have launched an investigation into the killing and abduction,” she said.
