Governor imposes curfew as hoodlums invade palace, kill monarch 

The village head Alhaji Mohammed Abdulsafur Lambata of Lambata in Gurara local government area of Niger state, has been brutally murdered by hoodlums in his palace over a chieftaincy dispute.

Blueprint learnt that other family members were injured during the attack on Saturday afternoon. 

It was gathered that the monarch was first attacked at a function but escaped death by whiskers into the Divisional Police Headquarters from where his statement was obtained by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the incident.

However, the DPO was said to have asked the monarch to return to his palace situated not more than 500 meters from the police station apparently without adequate security cover.

It was learnt that the subjects oppossed to the entronement of the monarch who earlier attacked him at the function, invaded the palace more forcefully within 20 minutes of his arrival and killed him.

Zakari Mohammed, one of the sons of the murdered village head confirmed the incident to Blueprint in Minna at the weekend, adding that two of his brothers were seriously injured in the attack.

He said, “My father was murdered by hoodlums at his palace on Saturday afternoon. He was first attacked at a place not far from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Lambata and was asked to write statement on the incident, this he did. After that the DPO asked him to go to the palace just about 500 metres away. As soon as he got home, the hoodlums invaded the palace  and killed my father.”

He said many people were seriously injured in the attack on the palace including two his brothers who were receiving treatment in hospital. 

Meanwhile, the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has imposed  curfew in Lambata town following the violent clash that led to the killing of the Village Head.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane on Sunday said, “In view of the unfortunate incident, the state governor has directed that curfew be imposed in Lambata town from 6:00pm to 6:00am beginning from Sunday 15th January, 2023 till further notice.”

Matane said the imposition of the curfew in Lambata was to assist the security agencies to stabilise the situation in the area, save lives and enable the restoration of law and order.

According to the SSG, “Government has condemned in strong terms the violence and act of lawlessness that have occurred in Lambata Town.”

Aged 72,  Alhaji Lambata died as a result of injuries he sustained during an attack by hoodlums.

He is survived by one wife, thirteen children including the state financial Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger state council Comrade Zakari Musa Lambata and many grand children.

Late Alhaji Lambata retired as the state control officer Leprosy and Tuberculosis programme.

The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites.