Gunmen kill Taraba monarch inside palace

By Innocent Raphael

Gunmen have reportedly infiltrated the palace of Abdulmutalib Jankada, the traditional ruler of Sansani chiefdom in Taraba state, and fatally shot him while he was resting after the day’s activities.

Witnesses reported that the assailants, arriving on motorcycles, swiftly targeted the monarch, firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene with his phones in their possession.

The attack caught palace guards and family members by surprise, leaving the community in shock.

Residents have disclosed that they initially mistook the gunfire for unrelated noise until the tragic incident unfolded.

“The late chief told us Yesterday that he was traveling to Ibbi for Nwonyo fishing Festival which is taking place on Friday and Saturday. We never knew the Chief did not travel Yesterday evening so when we heard the gunshots, we did not suspect it was inside the palace,” a resident spoke.

He added that after the gunmen departed silently following the monarch’s assassination, his wife discovered his lifeless body in their room, prompting her to raise the alarm.

The news spread rapidly, drawing mourners from both within the town and neighboring areas of the chiefdom.

The community is grieving, and plans are underway to lay the late chief to rest after Friday prayers.