Security personnel attached to me are well trained,Eze Njoku of Ndigbo Lagos community
By Ifeoma Ikem
Amb Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Eze Ndigbo community in Aigbaka Ejigbo, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area has debunk rumours that security personnel at his Ofala and new yam festival caused them psychological and physical embarrassment by allegedly shooting sporadically at the event premises held at the Ronic Secondary School Aiyelegun Ejigbo.
Stating that if anything had happened to anyone Eze will be held responsible for that and the said embarrassment to them at the venue.
Eze said, as a leader, a peacemaker it’s my responsibility of unite people and not causing mayhems saying he is in a good stead with journalists and other aggrieved persons on the said day.
According to him, there were reports that some policemen shot into the air to disperse miscreants who were trying to make their ways into the venue which he said he was personally not aware of.
“I’m a friend to the people in this community,people will attest to that and the society at large even journalists are my best of friends I will not allow them to be assaulted or insulted by anyone.
With further narration, as a UN Peace ambassador, I will not allow unruly attitude
all am doing is putting the record straight.
I will use this avenue to apologise to anyone i offended by the actions of the security men on the new yam festival day.
Honestly,it’s not of my character to look down on people especially journalists.
His words, “My Ofala that took place on the 30th September, some persons particularly some aggrieved journalists alleged that some police orderlies that attended the event were shooting sporadically, a situation they said created fear and tension at the venue of the event.
“It was somehow difficult for me to believe what really went on that day while the event was on, that has informed my decision to invite journalists friends to share views and interface with them on some issues in the public,and put them straight.
“The igbo community in Ejigbo specifically Aigbaka which am their Eze, we celebrated our new yam festival on the 31st of September and the event was massively attended.
“After the event, I started hearing certain reports in social media that some persons were insulted by some policemen and allegedly shot sporadically in the air,I may not dispute that because there was so much noise.
“Undoubtedly, I have two policemen attached to me who are well trained, who know what to do at any given time, who know that I have zero tolerance for rascality, insult and violation of human right.
“It was really a fact that the crowd was much and the noise was much, and most of the dignitaries that were in attendance also came with their escorts.
“However, I am not a policeman,but what they did highly uncalled for.
“I noticed that there was a time some miscreants wanted to force their way into the venue which the officers tried to manage professionally according to the report I got.
“I was at a certain point informed that the security men at the gate were preventing people from coming in, I sent for one of them, inquired why they were doing such.
“They said the ones they stopped were miscreants. I told them it’s a party, everyone was invited.
“I encouraged them to alow everyone in because new yam and Ofala need to be celebrated by all especially those our neighbours who are not Igbo speaking.
“I do not know the real reason for shooting on the air. I have asked the policemen attached to me, they said they never did that,he added
Speaking further, the only aspect that worries me the most was the report that someone called my attention and I bluffed the person which is impossible. How would I do such that could cause break down of law and order in an occasion that has cost me and my community so much money to organize. We can’t turn back to destroy what took us many months to build.
“The day that is set for people to merry and rejoice with me,and someone would hint to me about imminent danger, I would not call such bluff, that is not who I am.
“I can’t fight journalists because I need them at any point in time because I’m a public servant and also render service to less privileged ones.
“I am just at the Genesis of my journey, dream and vision for mankind. I cannot fight them, disobey them or fail to listen to their wise counsel much more when they raise concern on issue of such magnitude.
However, the Divisional Police Officer(DPO) was at the event ,my position is that whatever happened that may have brought pains or ill feelings to anyone on the Ofala day was not at my instance and I apologise to any aggrieved person.
“I want to make peace with aggrieved persons in my community, guests and others who may have been insulted by any action of anyone.
Am here to bring peace, among my Igbo people, our host and Nigeria at large. It will not be fair if i allow minor issues or ill feelings to derail us.
We are on a rescue mission to unite our people.
“I must be grateful to God and to those who may have written any report on what they feel happened that day, they are my friends, they have guided my future steps.They have thought me on how best to move.
