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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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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.

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Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are living in fear after suspected bandits demanded N40 million from the community and threatened to attack if the money is not paid.

The threat was reportedly delivered through a resident, Abara Jaji, who was intercepted by the bandits while on his way to fetch firewood.

A source familiar with the incident told Daily Trust that Jaji was travelling along a route reportedly used by the bandits when he spotted them and fled, abandoning his motorcycle.

The source said the bandits pursued him on motorcycles, caught up with him and surrounded him.

According to the source, the bandits asked Jaji where he was from. Jaji, who was reportedly trembling with fear, told them he was from Kebbe while pleading that he had no money.

The bandits then gave him a Tecno phone, containing a SIM card, and instructed him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative. The phone reportedly came with the words, “Sha kidanka bakauye.”

They reportedly demanded N40 million from the community, threatening to attack the town and burn properties if the money was not paid.

A witness, who requested anonymity, said Jaji arrived at the residence of the District Head, Sarkin Kabin Kebbe, Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai, at about 9:30am on Tuesday and met his representative, Murtala Muhammad.

He said Jaji explained that the bandits had sent him with the phone.

According to the witness, the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand for N40 million.

Murtala reportedly told the callers that the matter concerned the entire community and that he could not make the decision alone.

He subsequently took Jaji to the DPO, where other security officials in the local government were also present.

“While they were explaining the situation to the security officials, the bandits called again. The call was put on hands-free, so everyone heard what the bandits were demanding,” the witness said.

However, another source familiar with the development said a person close to the security authorities told him that arrangements were being made to raise the money, with payment expected on Sunday.

The development has reportedly triggered fear among residents, with some already leaving the town.

“Just now, my mother and a younger sister who came home for a post-natal bath have left the town because of the fear that failure to fulfil the promise could become a problem. Some people are not sleeping in their houses now,” the resident said.

He said residents had yet to see any additional deployment of security personnel in the town.

“We do not want them to be given the money because if they are paid, they will continue imposing such levies on us from time to time, just as they are doing to Gwandi village.

“If they are given the money, it will open the way for them to continue extorting us. We want more security personnel deployed so that even if they attack, they can be repelled,” he said.

Another resident who was present when Jaji delivered the message also confirmed the development.

He said the bandits threatened to enter the town and kill residents if their demand was not met.

According to him, the bandits initially wanted the money to be paid on Tuesday, but the representative of the Sarkin Kabin Kebbe asked for time to consult the community before a decision was made.

He said the threat affected commercial activities in the town, with the market recording low patronage on Tuesday, while many residents, particularly women, fled in fear.

He added that some residents had started leaving the town because of fears of an attack.

The residents opposed payment of the money, instead calling for increased security presence in the community.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command was aware of the development and was working on it.

“They’re fully aware and they’re working on it,” he said.

Attempts by Daily Trust to obtain comments from the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuci, and the Sokoto State Government spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, were unsuccessful, as they did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to them.

The latest threat comes amid a series of deadly attacks in Kebbe Local Government Area in recent weeks.

On August 3, ASP Bala Wakili was killed while exchanging fire with bandits at Zugu village in Kebbe LGA. Two patrol vehicles were also set ablaze—one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps, according to sources.

On August 14, four soldiers were killed when bandits attacked Kebbe town.

The same day, 34 people were killed in an attack on Ungushi village in Kebbe LGA.

Following the attacks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division deployed additional security personnel and weapons to the area.