The palace of the Etsu Nupe in New Layout, Lokoja, Kogi State, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, forcing the monarch to scale the fence to escape harm.

The attack coincided with preparations for the second edition of the Nupe Cultural Fiesta, an end-of-year celebration organized by Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union. The event, slated for December 21, 2024, was canceled following the incident, despite the arrival of Nupe natives from neighboring states.

Recounting his ordeal, the monarch said he awoke to loud banging on his door and later saw his car engulfed in flames. “I knew it was an attack on the palace,” he said. “I managed to escape through the back door and scaled the fence. My neighbors tried to put out the fire, but the car was completely burned.”

The royal father appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the attack and bring the culprits to justice. He also urged Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid reprisals and remain peaceful while awaiting the outcome of investigations.

Local officials, including Abdullahi Adamu, the Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, and security agencies, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

Speaking on the planned event, the monarch explained it was a cultural celebration, not a coronation. He clarified that invitations had been sent to stakeholders, including the Maigari of Lokoja, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Traditional Council, and other ethnic groups such as the Ebira, Yoruba, Igala, and Igbo communities.

However, the Maigari of Lokoja reportedly rejected the invitation, citing a lack of royal courtesy in the correspondence and disputing the existence of the Etsu Lokoja stool. The monarch responded by asserting the historical presence of the Etsu Lokoja, predating colonial rule.

“The colonialists created the Maigari institution, but we have coexisted peacefully for years. The Nupe leadership in Lokoja has been working to secure government recognition for the Etsu Lokoja stool to allow us to administer ourselves as an ethnic group,” the monarch said.

He emphasized that the cultural fiesta was intended to celebrate Nupe heritage and was not a coronation. He also highlighted past efforts, including the installation of Etsu Lokoja on January 23, 2024, and a public re-enactment on July 27, 2024, aimed at preserving their cultural roots.

National President of the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Union, Abubakar Ndashite, condemned the disruption of the cultural festival. He lamented the financial and emotional toll of the aborted event and called on the government to ensure justice.

The incident has sparked discussions about ethnic recognition in Lokoja, a cosmopolitan city where various ethnic groups, including the Ebira, Igala, Yoruba, Hausa, and Nupe, coexist under distinct traditional leadership structures.