By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—TRAGEDY has struck the traditional institution in Edo State as the Enogie (Duke) of Ugolo Dukedom, Ovia  South  West  local  government  of  Edo  State,  Solomon  Udobor,  has  been reportedly killed  in  Benin  City.
The late Enogie,  aged 55, was said to have been murdered at  about  7:21pm  on New Year day by unknown  gunmen  who  stormed  his  Idele Street, Uwelu Quarters residence in Benin City.

The assassination of the traditional ruler, Vanguard gathered, threw the neighbourhood into a state of mourning and thereby disrupted the New Year celebration for his subjects and community.

Although the cause of the murder  could  not  be immediately ascertained at the time of filing this report, Vanguard investigation  showed  that  it  could  be connected  with  Enogieship  tussle  between  Ugolo  town  and a neighbouring community.

The widow of the slain traditional ruler, Mrs. Esther  Udolor,  said her  late  husband  was  crowned  as  Enogie  of  Ugolo  clan  in  1980  after  his  father  who  was  the  then  Enogie  of  Ugolo  joined    his  ancestors .

She alleged that trouble started about two  years  ago when  another  Enogie  was  crowned at Etete  village,  a  development  the  Palace of the Oba of Benin frowned at, just as it sanctioned those  involved  traditionally.

Mrs. Udolor said  her  late  husband  had  received  several  threats  to  his  life  but  resolved  not  to  take  the  matter  to  the  police  because  the  palace  of  the  Oba  of  Benin  was  already  handling  the  issue.

Meanwhile, the police at Ugbowo  Estate  police station in Benin City  has  arrested three  suspects  in  connection  with  the  killing.

The Divisional  Police  Officer  (DPO) for the Ugbowo Division, Mr. Kunle  Olusokan , who confirmed the incident, said the  suspects  would  soon  be  transferred  to  the state  police  headquarters.