Residents of Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, were on Tuesday, February 1, woken up by an inferno at Agbarho palace hall, the monarch’s palace and NYSC quarters.
The fire was allegedly started by hoodlums who were yet to be identified as at press time.
The hoodlums also attempted to burn the Agbarho monarch’s car as smell of hydrocarbon reek the garage. The air conditioning unit attached to the window of the king’s apartment was completely burnt down and the window destroyed.
Commenting on the incident, President-General of Agbarho-Urhobo Improvement Union, Chief (Engr.) Monday Igho Odiphri, said he got a distress call at 3am Tuesday morning that the Palace of the Osuivie was on fire and he immediately mobilised security men.
Chief Odiprhi said the fire was a calculated attempt to embarrass the entire people of Agbarho Kingdom, and attributed it to efforts of those intending to sabotage the progress of the kingdom.
While thanking God that no life was lost in the attack, Chief Odiprhi commended security operatives in Agbarho for their timely response which he said culminated in putting out the fire. He said the security men took time to inspect the level of damage and the escape route of the perpetrators of the crime.
The palace security personnel at the gate, Friday Sabulefe, while giving his own account said he was held down by a group of three boys with guns while they perpetrated their evil act.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident, saying that an investigation has been launched on the matter.
(Newsnet.ng)