Gunmen have killed a high-ranking palace chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and abducted two of his daughters in a late-night attack that has thrown the community into fear and mourning.
The victim, Chief Jimah Ogboi, was a respected palace chief in the kingdom. The attackers reportedly stormed his residence on Monday night, shot him at close range, and fled with two of his daughters. His wife was also attacked with a machete and other weapons and was left in critical condition.
The incident has shocked residents of Iduah and nearby communities, many of whom described the late chief as a peaceful and committed leader who worked for the unity of the area.
According to family members, the attack happened at night when most residents were already indoors.
One of the chief’s sons, Lucky, said he was not at home when the gunmen struck. He explained that he had stepped out briefly to buy an item when he received a distressing message that his father had been shot.
“I was told that my father had been killed,” Lucky said. “When I came back, I saw my mother seriously injured. My sisters had been taken away.”
Sources in the community said about four armed men carried out the attack. They reportedly went straight to the chief’s house, shot him, and abducted his daughters without any resistance.
A community source told our correspondent that the attack appeared to be carefully planned, as the gunmen seemed to know their target.
“The way they came and left shows that they knew what they wanted,” the source said. “This has never happened in this manner in our community.”
Following the attack, elders and leaders of Iduah Kingdom called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. The meeting focused on how to secure the release of the abducted daughters and how to prevent further attacks in the area.
The traditional ruler of the community, Alhaji Amedu Momoh, expressed deep sorrow over the killing of the chief and the abduction of his daughters. He described the attack as a serious threat to peace in the kingdom.
“About four of them went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and went away with two of the daughters,” the monarch said. “The Nigerian Police and other security agencies have come here since the incident happened.”
Alhaji Momoh appealed to the Edo State Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security in the area.
“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 added.
He also expressed concern about the growing problem of suspected herdsmen attacking farmers on their farmlands. According to him, this has created tension and fear among residents who depend on farming for their livelihood.
The killing of Chief Ogboi and the abduction of his daughters come at a time when communities in Edo Central Senatorial District have been battling cases of kidnapping and attacks on farmlands.
In recent years, Edo State has faced security challenges, including kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and clashes between farmers and suspected herders. Many rural communities have complained of being vulnerable due to poor security presence and limited patrols.
Esan West Local Government Area, where Iduah Kingdom is located, has witnessed isolated incidents of kidnapping and attacks, though community leaders say there had been relative calm in recent months before this latest tragedy.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the killing and abduction.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the command had launched a full investigation into the incident. She also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had moved to Ekpoma in Edo Central with other senior officers to address the situation.
“I can confirm the incident,” Ikoedem said. “The Commissioner of Police and other top officers of the command are in Ekpoma to halt incidents like this. For this killing and abduction, the police have launched an investigation.”
She assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted daughters.
The police spokesperson, however, did not provide details on whether any arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report.
Residents of Iduah Kingdom say fear now hangs over the community. Many families have reportedly restricted movement at night, while some farmers are afraid to go to their farms.
A resident who asked not to be named said the killing of a palace chief show that no one is safe.
“If they can attack a chief in his own house, then who is safe?” he asked. “We are calling on the government to help us.”
Community leaders have urged youths to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands. They stressed the need to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for stronger security measures in rural communities across Edo State. Stakeholders have called for increased patrols, better intelligence gathering, and closer cooperation between security agencies and local vigilante groups.
Some residents believe that improving road access and communication networks in rural areas could also help security agencies respond more quickly to distress calls.
As investigations continue, the people of Iduah Kingdom wait anxiously for news about the abducted daughters. For the family of the late Chief Jimah Ogboi, the pain is deep and the loss heavy.
For now, the focus remains on rescuing the abducted daughters and ensuring that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. The tragedy serves as another reminder of the security challenges facing many communities in Nigeria and the urgent need for lasting solutions.
