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“Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace”

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"Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace"

“Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace”

 

In a shocking turn of events, the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, narrowly escaped death when his palace was attacked by suspected hoodlums in the early hours of Saturday, around 1:00 am. The attackers set fire to his vehicle and other properties within the palace, forcing the monarch to jump over the palace fence to save his life.

 

The attack occurred just hours before the commencement of the “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” a highly anticipated event organized by the Nupe natives of Lokoja Development Union. Many attendees had already arrived in preparation for the event, which was meant to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Nupe people. Unfortunately, the incident led to the cancellation of the event, which was supposed to take place on Saturday.

A Harrowing Escape

Narrating his terrifying experience to our correspondent on Monday, the Etsu Lokoja described the harrowing moments that followed the attack.

“It was around 1:00 am when I heard a loud bang on my door,” he recalled. “I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened. Suddenly, I saw a wildfire coming out of my car, as it had been set ablaze by attackers.”

Realizing the palace was under siege, the monarch decided to act swiftly. “I knew it was an attack on the palace, and I couldn’t come out because of the fear of being attacked. So, I managed to exit through the back door and scaled the fence to save my life,” Dauda-Shelika said.

Once outside, the Etsu saw his neighbors attempting to extinguish the fire, but it was too late to save the vehicle, which was completely burned along with other valuables inside.

The Aborted Cultural Fiesta

The Etsu Lokoja expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” which was meant to be a significant celebration for the community. He explained that members of the event’s planning committee had met late into Friday night, until around 11:30 pm, and were heading home when the attack occurred.

“It is unfortunate that such an important cultural event had to be aborted due to this attack,” he lamented. “The Nupe people were looking forward to this celebration, and it’s very disheartening that it didn’t take place as planned.”

Appeals for Justice and Peace

Following the attack, the Etsu Lokoja made an emotional appeal to the government and security agencies, urging them to investigate the cause of the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also asked the Nupe natives of Lokoja to remain calm and avoid any acts of retaliation.

“We are appealing to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the relevant security agencies to use their offices to thoroughly investigate this unfortunate incident and bring those responsible to justice—whether directly or indirectly involved,” Dauda-Shelika said.

Furthermore, the monarch urged the government to officially recognize and grade the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which has existed long before colonization, as this would bring closure to the longstanding issues surrounding the title.

“We believe that by officially recognizing the stool of Etsu Lokoja, many of the issues surrounding our community will be laid to rest,” he added.

Authorities Tight-lipped on the Attack

As of Monday, the police and state security officials have remained tight-lipped about the incident. A police officer at the scene declined to comment, claiming he had not been authorized to speak on the matter. Efforts to reach the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated calls or text messages. Additionally, attempts to contact the state governor’s Security Adviser were also unsuccessful.

Conclusion

The attack on the Etsu Lokoja’s palace has left the community in shock, with many wondering about the motive behind such a brazen act. While investigations continue, the Etsu’s escape and the cancellation of the cultural event have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyous occasion for the Nupe people.

The public awaits answers from the authorities as the community hopes for justice and peace in the wake of this disturbing incident.

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Karma or Cruelty? Asake’s Estranged Father Cries Out for Financial Help After Suffering Stroke

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Karma or Cruelty? Asake’s Estranged Father Cries Out for Financial Help After Suffering Stroke

Karma or Cruelty? Asake’s Estranged Father Cries Out for Financial Help After Suffering Stroke

A storm of controversy has erupted on social media after a video surfaced of Mr. Fatai Odunsi, the estranged father of Nigerian music sensation Asake, pleading for financial help after suffering a partial stroke. The emotional appeal has sparked heated debates, as reports suggest that Mr. Odunsi allegedly abandoned the singer during his childhood.

The video, which has gone viral, shows the ailing man calling on Nigerians for assistance to seek medical treatment, his speech and movement visibly impaired. However, instead of sympathy, many online users have reacted with scorn, questioning why he now seeks help when he reportedly failed to be there for his son.

Public Outrage and Reactions

Social media has been ablaze with opinions, with many insisting that Mr. Odunsi should face the consequences of his past actions.

A Twitter user, @Lord_Of_Warri, harshly remarked:
“Let him take care of himself like his son took care of himself when he abandoned him.”

Another, @djtoxiq_, echoed similar sentiments, saying:
“Left him when he was 2, someone that is already a fully formed man. Sir, you could have just maintained that same energy that kept you away from your son.”

Some took a more sarcastic tone, like @Mhajid93, who posted:
“Panel of judges, I’m here to read y’all takes on this. Then compile all and forward to Asake for possible future consideration. Make your takes short and precise. Asake no like long notes. Thank you!”

Meanwhile, @lesh_szajna added fuel to the fire, joking:
“Asake stingy gan. Only those that listen to his lyrics can relate. He can’t even help his own dad—run away from friends and family.”

A Painful Family History?

While Asake has never publicly spoken about his father, sources claim that Mr. Odunsi was absent from his life for most of his upbringing. The singer, known for his hit songs and relentless hustle in the music industry, reportedly built his success from the ground up without any parental support from his father’s side.

Now, as his father battles health challenges, many Nigerians are divided—should Asake offer help or ignore a man who allegedly turned his back on him years ago?

A Moral Dilemma

This unfolding drama raises larger questions about family responsibility, forgiveness, and karma. Should Asake, now a wealthy and successful musician, extend a helping hand despite their fractured relationship? Or is this a classic case of reaping what one has sown?

The ball is in Asake’s court, but one thing is certain—the internet never forgets, and Nigerians are watching closely.

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Obasanjo’s Explosive Book: Corruption, Waste, and the Betrayal of Nigeria

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Obasanjo’s Explosive Book: Corruption, Waste, and the Betrayal of Nigeria

Obasanjo Unleashes Scathing Attack on Buhari and Tinubu, Declares Nigeria’s Leadership a Disaster

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a blistering critique of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, branding it the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history. In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo pulls no punches, exposing what he calls the entrenched corruption, gross mismanagement, and outright betrayal of Nigerians under Buhari’s leadership. He further warns that President Bola Tinubu appears to be following in Buhari’s footsteps, and may even surpass his failures.

The book, released last week in celebration of Obasanjo’s 88th birthday, minces no words in condemning the controversial N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which Obasanjo describes as a financial black hole and a vehicle for massive corruption. He also slammed Tinubu’s government for approving a staggering N21 billion for a new vice-presidential residence amid economic hardship, calling it a ‘monument to greed and waste.’

“What small minds!” Obasanjo fumed. “The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is a mucky, corrupt project, and yet the President has turned a deaf ear to protests. Instead of focusing on the suffering of Nigerians, we are seeing a display of waste and misplacement of priorities.”

Buhari’s Administration: A Legacy of Corruption and Betrayal

Obasanjo’s attack on Buhari was particularly scathing, describing his tenure as an era that saw corruption flourish like never before. He accused Buhari of using his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as a tool to shield corrupt officials while punishing whistleblowers and anti-corruption crusaders.

“The most atrocious waste, the enthronement of corruption, and the destruction of any meaningful anti-corruption effort took place under Buhari’s watch,” Obasanjo wrote. “And his Attorney General, Malami, turned the justice system into a devil’s playground.”

Obasanjo further accused Malami of orchestrating the controversial release of convicted ex-governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, who had been jailed for looting billions in public funds. He described their pardon as a disgraceful mockery of justice.

“But for my absence at the Council of State meeting where the pardon was granted, I would have fought against it,” Obasanjo lamented. “This was not justice; it was a well-orchestrated charade to protect political allies and further the legacy of corruption.”

Tinubu’s Government: More of the Same or Worse?

Obasanjo warned that Tinubu’s administration is already proving to be just as corrupt—if not worse—than Buhari’s. He accused Tinubu of running a transactional government where every deal is about personal enrichment rather than national interest.

“Given about two years of President Tinubu in office, it appears that the game of short-changing the over 230 million Nigerians continues,” he wrote. “Everything is now transactional, and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop.’”

The former President lambasted Tinubu’s handling of national projects, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it an overpriced scam designed to siphon billions from public funds.

“Tinubu’s peers are jealous, but that’s not because of any great achievements—it’s because they want their turn at the feeding trough,” he said.

The Presidency and Allies Fire Back

Predictably, Tinubu’s administration has come out swinging, dismissing Obasanjo’s claims as baseless and hypocritical. Presidential aides, including Sunday Dare and Temitope Ajayi, have accused Obasanjo of seeking relevance by attacking every sitting government after his own.

“If, as President for eight years, Obasanjo couldn’t even fix the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, why should we take his criticism seriously?” Ajayi scoffed. “He sees himself as the only Nigerian who knows what is good for the country, but history will judge his failures.”

Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it a ‘visionary project’ that will bring long-term economic prosperity. “People are only criticizing because they do not understand the benefits,” he argued.

Buhari, Malami Silent Amidst Firestorm

As the controversy rages, Buhari has remained conspicuously silent. His spokesperson, Garba Shehu, failed to respond to calls and messages, while Malami only issued a cautious statement, claiming he had not yet read the book.

“If these allegations exist, I will respond in due time,” Malami said. “However, I do not engage in speculation.”

A Nation in Crisis

Obasanjo’s book is a damning indictment of Nigeria’s leadership, past and present. It paints a grim picture of a nation plagued by corruption, misgovernance, and an elite class that continues to loot public resources at the expense of the masses. As the debate over the book’s revelations rages on, Nigerians are left to wonder: Will there ever be an administration that truly puts the people first?

With Tinubu’s government already mired in controversy, many fear that Obasanjo’s grim prophecy may indeed come true—that Nigeria is doomed to repeat the same cycle of corruption and mismanagement, only worse each time.

 

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Sunday Igboho Challenges Court’s Ruling, Takes N20bn Case to Supreme Court

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Sunday Igboho Challenges Court’s Ruling, Takes N20bn Case to Supreme Court

Sunday Igboho Files Appeal at Supreme Court Over N20bn Damages Ruling

March 12, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria — Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has escalated his legal battle to the Supreme Court, challenging the recent Court of Appeal decision that nullified the N20 billion damages awarded to him against the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The legal dispute stems from the violent raid on Igboho’s Ibadan residence in July 2021, during which two people were allegedly killed and 12 others arrested. Igboho, a prominent figure advocating for the secession of the Yoruba region, had sued the AGF, DSS, and the DSS Director, seeking N5.5 billion in damages for the invasion. The raid was reportedly carried out under the guise of a national security operation, but Igboho has consistently argued that it was an unlawful assault on his fundamental rights.

In September 2021, the Oyo State High Court ruled in Igboho’s favor, awarding N20 billion in damages, holding the AGF and DSS accountable for the invasion. However, this ruling was overturned in August 2022 by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan. Justice Muslim Hassan, in delivering the judgment, stated that the lower court had misapplied legal principles in awarding the damages. The appellate court also criticized the lack of concrete evidence, such as autopsy reports, to substantiate the alleged killings during the raid.

In the wake of the appellate court’s ruling, Igboho has now approached Nigeria’s highest court, seeking a reversal of the decision. Through his legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yomi Aliyu, Igboho filed an appeal with the Supreme Court on March 11, 2025, arguing that the Court of Appeal erred in its judgment. He contends that the burden of producing autopsy reports should not fall on him, as the DSS did not challenge the allegations of killings in court.

Igboho also criticizes the Appeal Court for rejecting his claims for special damages, despite providing affidavit evidence and expert invoices detailing the losses suffered in the raid. He further argues that the aggravated and exemplary damages awarded by the trial judge were reasonable and aligned with established legal principles. Additionally, Igboho points out that the DSS and AGF’s response at the appellate level was filed outside the prescribed time limit, questioning the validity of their submissions.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on this matter has the potential to set a landmark legal precedent, particularly in relation to government accountability and self-determination rights in Nigeria. Legal experts are watching closely, as the case could reshape the interpretation of human rights violations and the limits of government power in national security operations.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in the coming months, with all eyes on the judicial process that may significantly influence the future of Nigeria’s constitutional and human rights landscape.

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