Irate youths set community ablaze, residents flee as gunmen assassinate monarch in Kogi

Unknown gunmen have assassinated a traditional ruler, Onu Itama, HRH, Chief Job Shagari Ebijego, in the Itama community, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

It was gathered that the gunmen rained bullets on the monarch while he was taking a stroll within his palace compound around 9.00 pm on Monday, August 12, 2024. 

A source told Punch that subjects of the late traditional ruler and his personal guards could not immediately come out to ascertain what was happening as they all scampered to safety until the shooting ceased and the assassins fled the scene on their motorcycle. 

The lifeless body of the traditional ruler was later found by the roadside very close to his palace in the community.

The source further revealed that the late Onu Itama had been embroiled in a series of chieftaincy tussles and land dispute matters with some groups of people in the community since his assumption of office.

Aggrieved by the k!lling, youths in the community woke up on Tuesday morning and started burning houses and destroying the property of those suspected to be behind the brutal murder of the community chief.

Police personnel were immediately drafted from the Egume Divisional Police Office along with some military personnel from the Nigerian Army to stay on guard duty in the community and keep the peace.

No fewer than 12 irate youths have been arrested by the combined forces keeping the peace.

It was further learnt that many residents and visitors have fled the hitherto bubbling community for fear of arrest or being targeted by the rampaging angry youths.

The murdered monarch was, until his death, highly respected and revered for his great sense of wisdom, and justice, just as he was also said to be an unbiased umpire who was dedicated to the well-being of his people.

Before the late Shagari Ebijego retired and ascended the throne of the Onu Itama community, he was a police officer at the Kaduna Police Command in Kaduna State.

The Divisional Police Officer, Egume Pere, said the situation was partially calm, adding that he had sent more personnel to the area. 

See photos of residents leaving the community below…