Gunmen kill monarch in Kogi

The Onu Itama of the Itama community, Dekina local government area in Kogi state, chief Job Shagari Ebijego have been killed by unidentified gunmen.

Family sources disclosed to Tribune Online on Wednesday that the gunmen were trailing the monarch while he was taking a stroll within his palace around 9.00 pm when sporadic shooting started.

The source revealed that subjects of the late traditional ruler and his personal guards could not come out to ascertain what was happening immediately until the shooting seized and assassins fled the scene with their motorcycle to unknown destination.

It was gathered that the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was found on the road close to his palace in Itama community, Dekina local government area.

Family source also hinted the press that even though they could not finger the route of the assassins but the late Onu Itama, Chief Job Shagari Ebijego has been on series of chieftaincy tussles and land dispute matters with some groups of people in the community since his assumption of office.

The Itama community which was thrown into mourning mood since the sad incident took place started witnessing another scene of uprising crisis as arsonists took over the community.

Aggrieved with the tragic incident, youths in the community woke up on Tuesday morning and started burning houses and destroying property of those suspected to be behind the brutal murder of the community chief.

It was gathered that Police personnel were immediately drafted from Egume Divisional Police station along with some army personnel on ground to the community to keep peace.

No fewer than 12 irate youths were arrested by the combined forces while many fled the town.

The community was deserted as at the time our correspondent visited the Itama community as many took to their heels for fear of arrest or being hurt by the angry youths on rampage.

Some neighbouring communities like Elubi, Acharu and Egume have become their refugee camps.

It was gathered that another group of irate youths stormed Itama community on Tuesday night, looted large quantity of red oil, foods  items and property worth thousands of naira and set houses ablaze.

Before late chief Job Shagari Ebijego retired and ascended the throne of Onu Itama community, he was a police officer at Kaduna police command in Kaduna state.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Egume, Pere said the situation is partially calm but has sent more personnel to the area.  So far 12 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest and has contacted their headquarters for their relocation to Lokoja.

On the assassination of the chief, Job Shagari Ebijego, Pere said he is not in position to speak on the murder of their monarch.

All efforts to contact the Kogi state Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Williams Aya  failed as he did not pick his calls.

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