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A 23-year-old Microbiology undergraduate at Delta State University, Abraka, Prince Daniel Afamefune Chukwujindu, has become the new traditional ruler of the Ekwuoma Kingdom in the Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Daniel, who succeeded his late father, King Chinedu Samuel Chukwujindu, was formally installed as the 11th Ajeh of Ekwuoma on Thursday.

He assumed the royal title of Ezeagu-Ukpo II following the completion of the burial rites of his father, who was the 10th Ajeh, Ezeagu-Ukpo I.

The young monarch’s emergence followed the traditional succession system of primogeniture, which recognises the first son of a reigning monarch as the heir to the throne.

The community said the practice had been maintained in Ekwuoma since the kingdom was founded nearly 400 years ago.

Daniel’s enthronement therefore marked both the end of his father’s 18-year reign and the beginning of a new era under one of the youngest monarchs in the community’s history.

The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, government representatives, academics, members of the royal family, friends and well-wishers.

Traditional rites were performed to formally transfer the institution from the late monarch to his successor, while prayers and goodwill messages were offered for the new reign.

The new Ajeh, in his remarks, thanked the people of Ekwuoma for accepting him and promised to protect the customs and traditions of the kingdom.

He also pledged to promote peace, unity and development, while calling on the people to work together to move the community forward.

Daniel urged the sons and daughters of Ekwuoma to support the traditional institution and avoid divisions that could hinder the development of the kingdom.

The young monarch also called for stronger cooperation between the traditional institution, government and residents in addressing the challenges facing the community.

The Chairman, Council of Chiefs and Orikeze of Ekwuoma, Chief Ernest Njokede, congratulated Daniel and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the kingdom.

Njokede prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and divine guidance for the new monarch, saying these would be necessary as he takes on the responsibilities of traditional leadership.

He also appealed to the people to support the new Ajeh and put the interest of Ekwuoma above personal differences.

Paying tribute to the late monarch, Njokede described his 18-year reign as a period of service, peace and commitment to the welfare of the people.

He urged the community to preserve the legacy left by the late king while giving the new monarch the support required to succeed.

“Ekwuoma belongs to all of us. It is our collective heritage. Let us treasure and guard it jealously, for we are the envy of numerous less fortunate communities around us,” Njokede said.

He stressed that the responsibility for developing Ekwuoma should not be left to the traditional ruler and chiefs alone.

“Community development is not the sole responsibility of the traditional institution or the chiefs; it is a shared responsibility that calls for the commitment of all sons and daughters of Ekwuoma and other residents of the kingdom,” he added.

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Hundreds of residents, including young boys and adults, have taken to the streets of Funtua town in Katsina State to protest the worsening security situation in the area, amid growing concerns over repeated raids by suspected bandits.

In a video seen by SaharaReporters, residents could be seen marching through the streets of the town in large numbers, protesting what they described as the failure of authorities to adequately protect communities from armed attackers.

The protesters, made up of youths and adults, were seen moving along the streets while expressing their concerns over the deteriorating security situation.

Residents said bandit raids had become increasingly frequent in communities around the Funtua axis, with fears growing that the violence could spread further into populated areas.

The protest comes amid a broader resurgence of banditry, kidnapping and other violent attacks across parts of Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara State.

In July, the Katsina State Police Command said it had foiled two separate bandit attacks in Funtua and Musawa Local Government Areas, rescued a kidnap victim and recovered 15 rustled cattle. The police said the operations followed attacks and distress calls from affected communities.

Security concerns have also intensified in neighbouring Zamfara, which has suffered repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months.

In late August, eight travellers were reportedly killed while others were abducted during a highway attack in Zamfara State. Police subsequently reported that security forces neutralised 17 suspected bandits during operations responding to the attack.

Earlier in August, at least six soldiers were reportedly killed while more than 70 residents were abducted when bandits attacked Kasuwar Daji in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In another major attack in July, 26 farmers killed by bandits in Zamfara were buried following an assault on farming communities, amid a sustained wave of attacks targeting rural residents.

The state has also witnessed attacks targeting political and government figures.

On July 25, suspected bandits reportedly abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Nura Umar Bungudu, after attacking his residence. Four security operatives were reported killed during the incident.

The violence has been severe enough to trigger major military operations. In July, the Nigerian military said its troops had killed more than 300 suspected bandits during a two-day operation in Gummi, Zamfara State, after an operation involving soldiers and local vigilantes.

Despite such operations, residents in communities across the region continue to complain about attacks, kidnappings and insecurity.

The situation has also affected farming communities, with attacks threatening agricultural activities and forcing residents to abandon their homes and farmlands.

In June, six farmers were reportedly killed and several residents kidnapped when armed bandits attacked Gora community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

More recently, security forces reported rescuing victims abducted after armed men intercepted a passenger truck in Zamfara on August 30. The police said the attack was foiled and all the victims were rescued.

The continuing violence has fuelled concerns among residents that security operations have not sufficiently addressed the underlying threat posed by armed groups operating across the region.

The Funtua protest therefore adds to growing public pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify operations and protect communities in Katsina and other parts of the North-West.

Residents are demanding increased deployment of security personnel, stronger intelligence gathering and faster responses to distress calls, particularly in communities located around forests and rural routes used by bandits.

The protesters’ action also highlights growing frustration among residents who fear that repeated attacks on surrounding communities could eventually threaten the security of Funtua town itself.

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Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 25 people who were kidnapped during separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The Military Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night.

According to the statement, the victims were rescued on Thursday as troops carried out patrols and offensive operations against terrorists in the two states.

He said troops of Sector 1 in Katsina State encountered terrorists during a night patrol along Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area.