Eze Amb. Nicholas Emenike Njoku,
Eziokwu Bu Ndu I, Eze Ndigbo of Aigbaka Ejigbo, of Ejigbo community has debunked rumours making waves on social media and some online platforms that some security men in uniforms disrupted the ofala/new yam celebration thereby constituting nuisance by creating fears and embarrassment to the people, while some claimed to be embarrassed by the Policemen due to an alleged sporadic gunfire at the event centre, Ronik Secondary School Ejigbo on the 30th September,  2023.

Eze Amb. Nicholas Emenike Njoku,
Eziokwu Bu Ndu I, Eze Ndigbo of Aigbaka Ejigbo called some selected newsmen to address, resolve the allegations levelled against him on how he has been relating to the pressmen, at his Ejigbo Palace, on Wednesday, 11, October 2023. The Torch Media was also present at the press conference.

The issues have been lingering, as some pressmen weren’t comfortable with his manner of approach, which has been disputed amongst them. So they needed clarifications on all allegations levelled against him.

At the press conference, in company with HRM Igwe livinus obinna Ezenwa, Igwe Nkata Ukwu of Umuomaku Ancient Kingdom Orumba South Local Govt. of Anambra State and some members of the cabinet of Aigbaka community in Ejigbo, where he quickly cleared up the misunderstandings concerning the particular matter that generated to numbles of which he was accused of.

In his words. The Ofala/new yam festival took place on 31th September,2023, some people, aggrieved journalists in particular alleged that some police orderlies who attended the event were shooting sporadically in the air which caused fear and tension at the venue. Some even claimed that they insulted by some these policemen.

“Sincerely, am a lover of peace and
as a leader, am indebted with the responsibility of uniting people and not causing commotion, am saying this to you all that i love journalists and am good stead with them even with all other resentful persons.

“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 festival I started hearing all sorts negative reports on some media platforms that some policemen discharged firearms to disperse miscreants from gaining entrance into the venue which I personally was not aware of.

“It was somehow difficult for me to perceive what was really going on that day while the event was going, it my decision to invite you our media friends to share views and confluence with you on some issues in the public and set it right”

“After the event, I started hearing reports that there was much shooting by police within and outside the venue of the event. I may not dispute that because there was so much noise.
“However, I am not a policeman. I learnt some policemen shot on the air to discourage uprisings.

“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 report I got.

“It was at a certain point i 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.

“I am an advocate of peace and love. I love people being happy around me.
“The day I was supposed to see people merry and rejoice with me and someone would hint to me  of imminent danger and I called such bluff, that is not who I am, “I don’t know who is the person or persons that came to me as they claimed.

“Certainly, I have two police orderly 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 rights. “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.

“I was told that they stopped the  miscreants from gaining access to the vanue. I said it’s a party, everybody can come. “I encouraged them to accommodate everbody, expressing optimism that policemen invited would bring peace and orderliness.“I do not know the real reason for shooting on the air. I have asked the policemen attached to me, they said they never fired in the air.

“I do not know the particular police officer who fired the gun because there were so many security personnel, soldiers including OPC were present there and Police from various Divisions.

“The only aspect that baffles me the most was the report that someone called my attention to and I called the person’s bluff. Such is impossible, how would I say such that could cause break down of law and order in 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 and I can’t tarnish my reputation just like that”

“As a leader, am indebted with the responsibility of uniting people and not causing commotion, am saying this to you all that i love journalists and am good stead with them even with all other resentful persons.

“I have been hearing all negative reports on some media platforms that some policemen discharged firearms to disperse miscreants from gaining entrance into the venue which I  personally wasn’t aware of.

Speaking further, ‘So am an  ambassador of Peace to UN, am equally a friend to the people in my community and the larger society. I will continue to maintain a friendly relationships with the pressmen and i wont allow them to be assaulted by anybody or be insulted in such a rude manner. I will not accomodate such unfair treatment to be infested on journalists.”

“I sincerely apologise to anyone who might have been offended by the actions of the security men on that particular day. It is never in my habit to
commonise people especially journalists.

“There is no disputes between us, because I need the journalists greatly in the feature.“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.

“Am resounding it that my policemen have never insulted anyone. I have urged them to reach out to their other colleagues to identify who may have insulted the people that day as alleged so that we could render an apology on the person’s behalf The Divisional Police Officer(DPO) was aware of our event.

“My position is that whatever happened that might have brought pains or ill feeling 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 I allow minor issues or ill feelings to wreck our relationships. .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 right t way to path.“The journey ahead is not easy at all they are my best friends, not enemies.

“It’s good they voice out their feelings. If there reports stand to be and eventually we recorded casualties, it wouldn’t have been a good story. It’s good to caution your friend before any evil takes place than cautioning then when it has occured.

Eventually, we thank God no casualties recorded, he added.