Monarch assassinated in Kogi, community abandoned

A Chief Job Shagari Ebijego has been assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Onu Itama, Dekina Local Government Area of ​​Kogi State.

He was reportedly killed on Monday evening near his home in Itama area of ​​Dekina local government of the state.

A family source hinted to DAILY POST that assassins were tailing the King as he was strolling around the palace at about 9pm when sporadic gunfire began.

The source noted that the late king's subjects and his guards were not able to go outside immediately to see what was happening until the gunfight began.

After killing Monarch, the assassins fled the scene on motorcycles, sources said.

The body of the traditional ruler was apparently found on a road near his palace in Itama area.

Family sources told DAILY POST that while they could not ascertain the real reason why the monarch was assassinated, they suggested that the late Onu Itama had been dealing with a series of chieftaincy and land dispute issues with some groups within the community since assuming office.

The monarch's death led to suspected arsonists taking over the Itama community, plunging the community into crisis.

Enraged by the tragic incident, youths of the area woke up on Tuesday morning and began burning houses and destroying properties of those they suspect to be behind the brutal murder of the area chief.

Police officers from Egume District Police Station and soldiers were reportedly immediately deployed to the area to maintain peace.

Sources in the community told our correspondent that at least 12 irate youths were arrested by the joint task force while many fled the community.

It was also gathered that at the time of filing this report, the Itama area was deserted as many of its residents had fled for fear of arrest and/or injury from rampaging angry youths.

DAILY POST further reported that neighbouring communities such as Elbi, Achar and Egume have suddenly become refugee camps.

Reliable sources said another group of irate youths stormed Itama area on Tuesday night, looting huge quantities of red oil, food items and properties worth thousands of naira and setting houses ablaze.

The District Police Officer in charge of Egume district, Mr Pele, has deployed personnel to restore normalcy in the community.

All efforts to speak to the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Williams Ovie-Ayah, proved unsuccessful as he neither picked calls nor responded to text messages sent to his phone line.

DAILY POST learnt that the late Chief Job Shagari Ebijego was a retired police officer at the Kaduna Police Command, Kaduna State before he passed away and took over from his forefather.

Source: dailypost.ng