Gunmen have killed a high-ranking palace chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Jimah Ogboi, and abducted two of his daughters.

The attackers reportedly struck on Monday night, shooting the chief dead and machete-wielding his wife, who was left in a critical condition.

One of the deceased’s sons, Lucky, said he had stepped out to buy an item when the incident occurred.

According to him, he was informed that his father had been killed and rushed home to find his mother badly injured.

A community source who spoke with Punch said the incident triggered an emergency meeting of elders to deliberate on possible steps to secure the release of the abducted daughters and address the root causes of the attack.

The traditional ruler of the community, Alhaji Amedu Momoh, appealed to the state government and security agencies to strengthen security in the area.

He said, “About four of them went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and went away with two of the daughters. Nigerian Police and other security agencies have come here since the incident happened.

“We need assistance in tackling security issues. The government should come and assist us. There has been some calm in our land, but it’s like they have gone to reinforce.”

Momoh also lamented what he described as increasing attacks on farmlands by suspected herdsmen.

The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident, stating that investigations had commenced.

“I can confirm the incident, and the CP and other top officers of the command are in Ekpoma to halt incidents like this. For this killing and abduction, the Police have launched an investigation,” she said.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was in Ekpoma alongside other senior officers to prevent further attacks.

In a related development, three herders were reportedly killed by gunmen along the Dorowa-Jong road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday.

The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babayo, said the victims were ambushed while returning home to the Jong community after attending Qur’an Tafsir in the Dorowa community around 7:30 p.m.