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The Onu Itama, HRH, Chief Job Shagari Ebijego, has been allegedly assassinated by gunmen near his palace in Itama community, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A family source revealed that the hired assassins released bullets on the monarch while he was taking a stroll within his palace compound around 9.00 pm.
It was learnt that the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was later found by the roadside very close to his palace in the community.
Also, another source claimed that the late Onu Itama had been involved in a series of chieftaincy tussles and land dispute matters with some groups of people in the community since his assumption of office.
The Itama community has been thrown into mourning since the sad incident occured.
Aggrieved by the tragic incident, youths in the community 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.
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.
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, Egume Pere, said the situation was partially calm, adding that he had sent more personnel to the area.
All efforts to contact the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Aya failed as he could not be reached.
