₦airaland Forum

*Police bar Igbo masquerade from entering Yoruba indigenous land of Lagos, citing cultural sensitivity, security concerns.*

December 05, 2024

The Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Ishola Olarewaju Olawale, has prohibited the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade from entering Lagos for the Igbo Festival, citing concerns over public safety and potential breach of peace.

This decision was made during a meeting between Igbo stakeholders in Lagos and the police commissioner.

Recall, The Yoruba Times reported a video of a traditional Igbo man who said the masquerade, Ajọ ọfia Nnewi, is making its way to Lagos December 12, 2024.

The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade, notoriously referred to as the "Evil Forest," holds significant cultural and traditional value in Igbo society.

However, its proposed appearance in Lagos has been met with strong opposition from various Yoruba communities in the state, who have expressed concerns and reservations about its presence.

CP Olawale explained that residents, including indigenes, were uncomfortable with the masquerade's presence in Lagos after a group boasted about unleashing mayhem.

He played a video recording of the masquerade performing rituals, which raised suspicions about their intentions.

The police commissioner emphasized that every tribe has its own masquerade, operating within their tribe, and that Ajofia is an Igbo masquerade that should not come to Lagos State, which is another tribe.

Eze Nwachukwu, responding on behalf of Ndigbo, thanked the CP for the meeting and acknowledged the message.

Despite Eze Nwachukwu emphasis on peaceful nature of the festival featuring the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade in Lagos, indigenous people of the state have expressed strong objections to its appearance, citing concerns that it could pose a risk to individuals who are unfamiliar with the traditional significance and cultural context of the masquerade.

According to report, In Igbo mythology, the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is believed to possess spiritual powers, which can be unsettling for those who do not understand or share the same cultural beliefs.

Furthermore, the masquerade's name, "Evil Forest," evokes a sense of mystery and foreboding, which can be intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with its cultural significance.

The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is traditionally not performed in front of women, which can create an air of mystery and exclusivity around the masquerade.

The masquerade's performances often involve elaborate rituals and ceremonies, which can be perceived as "dangerous" or "-threatening" by those who do not understand their cultural context.

theyorubatimes.com/police-bar-igbo-masquerade-from-entering-yoruba-indigenous-land-of-lagos-citing-cultural-sensitivity-security-concerns/

Ok.

They are just so lucky

The way they would have been disgraced heh.. That's purely trespassing

If they can't fix the security issue in their region, let them forget about transporting their culture to other places . They should settle whatever issue they have with Charity

They are afraid of Igbo superior culture relegating their inferior culture. Carry anything Yoruba come east nobody will stop you. Your pentecostal churches are not getting members because of superior Igbo orthodox. We thrive in competition not stopping our competitors

Keep wasting your time. Lagos is not your home state. Average Igbo man in Lagos has more respect than a nonentity like u and the jobless fellow above.
Umu bingo!.


We will have our masquerade in Lagos and hold annual meetings with drinks and palm wine. Nobody born of a woman can stop.

Including your illiterate self and others. Mugu.

helinues:
They are just so lucky

The way they would have been disgraced heh.. That's purely trespassing

If they can't fix the security issue in their region, let them forget about transporting their culture to other places . They should settle whatever issue they have with Charity

Igbo masquerades perform in Lagos. Nothing you can do about it. This particular one was banned because of the publicity it generated which threaten your fragile ego. Meanwhile this masquerade is now trending everywhere because of this, a good publicity

XerXers:
They are afraid of Igbo superior culture relegating their inferior culture. Carry anything Yoruba come east nobody will stop you. Your pentecostal churches are not getting members because of superior Igbo orthodox. We thrive in competition not stopping our competitors

When we advised you people to fix your home, you dey call an threats.

Insecurity won't allow your people to celebrate masquerade festival in their own region.

The illiterate kids won't just allow things to go smoothly.

All what you guys supported ooo

Smithkafors:
Keep wasting your time. Lagos is not your home state. Average Igbo man in Lagos has more respect than a nonentity like u and the jobless fellow above.
Umu bingo!.


We will have our masquerade in Lagos and hold annual meetings with drinks and palm wine. Nobody born of a woman can stop.

Including your illiterate self and others. Mugu.

Thank you very much. The miscreants can only wail. Igbo masquerades perform freely all over the world

If some Ibos can be more circumspect and silent without being overly loudmouthed. They would have solved 50% of their problems.

Let your actions speak, not your big mouths. Especially when you are surrounded by jealous people who have the wherewithal to make you suffer. Use your head Ndigbo. Close your mouth and keep your enemies guessing most of the time.

We will do this and we will do that. Eze Ndigbo of whatever is still in Kirikiri till today for making threats.

When you are not very liked, it is your best interests to keep your cards close to your heart, pretend and play along until you get what you want and make your enemies pay. Read the Art of War.

XerXers:
Igbo masquerades perform in Lagos. Nothing you can do about it. This particular one was banned of the publicity it generated which threaten your fragile ego. Meanwhile this masquerade is now trending everywhere because of this, a good publicity

Read and comprehend. That's the lucky part

helinues:
They are just so lucky

The way they would have been disgraced heh.. That's purely trespassing

If they can't fix the security issue in their region, let them forget about transporting their culture to other places . They should settle whatever issue they have with Charity

Define trespassing?

helinues:
When we advised you people to fix your home, you dey call an threats.

Insecurity won't allow your people to celebrate masquerade festival in their own region.

The illiterate kids won't just allow things to go smoothly.

All what you guys supported ooo

Was it not the masquerade celebration in the east where they made it know about their invitation to Lagos which now threaten your inferior culture?

XerXers:
Was it not the masquerade celebration in the east where they made it know about their invitation to Lagos which now threaten your inferior culture?

The insecurity in South East won't allow the traditional festival to hold this year. That's logical

Face the reality and stop beating around the bush

Dalohad:
If some Ibos can be more circumspect and silent without being overly loudmouthed. They would have solved 50% of their problems.

Let your actions speak, not your big mouths. Especially when you are surrounded by jealous people who have the wherewithal to make you suffer. Use your head Ndigbo. Close your mouth and keep your enemies guessing most of the time.

Jealous people are inferior people simple.

Mrfeel:
Define trespassing?

Sleeping on the bicycle

helinues:
The insecurity in South East won't allow the traditional festival to hold this year. That's logical

Face the reality and stop beating around the bush

This masquerade is now a celebrity. Thank you for free publicity

Supported, what value is that masquerade whatever going to add to their life or that of Lagos residents?
If they must do that, they should return to their villages or town to do that,

XerXers:
This masquerade is now a celebrity. Thank you for free publicity

Celebrity online. Who cares

Can they try this nonesense in Benin, Calabar, Yenegoa or Idah?

Can they even conceive trying to take this their nonesense masquerade anywhere in the Muslim north ?

Yorubas have themselves to blame for this rubbish.

XerXers:
Jealous people are inferior people simple.

And if the inferior people have the power to cause political problems for you? What will you do? Kini e fe se?

If they seek your destruction to make you suffer and have the way and means to do it? What would you do?

My friend would say 'Nwanne, nkwucha abughi ujo'. Use your head.

Many masquerades have been celebrated in Lagos for many years till now. It has never been an issue. Why is it an issue today.

Guo eze gi onu?

XerXers:
They are afraid of Igbo superior culture relegating their inferior culture. Carry anything Yoruba come east nobody will stop you. Your pentecostal churches are not getting members because of superior Igbo orthodox. We thrive in competition not stopping our competitors

Go ahead and carry your masquerade to Lagos.

Don't even stop at Lagos, go to Benin ring road and display your "superior" culture.

Don't forget to head to the Emir's palace in Kano to show those Muslims your superior culture and voodoo.

Try it.

helinues:
Sleeping on the bicycle

I know, throw pointless words around, normal for kids from that side

Mrfeel:
I know, throw pointless words around, normal for kids from that side

Now you are drooling after the definition

GBTYO:
Can they try this nonesense in Benin, Calabar, Yenegoa or Idah?

Can they even conceive trying to take this their nonesense masquerade anywhere in the Muslim north ?

Yorubas have themselves to blame for this rubbish.

As if igbos fear those places you mentioned, get over it kid

Dalohad:
If some Ibos can be more circumspect and silent without being overly loudmouthed. They would have solved 50% of their problems.

Let your actions speak, not your big mouths. Especially when you are surrounded by jealous people who have the wherewithal to make you suffer. Use your head Ndigbo. Close your mouth and keep your enemies guessing most of the time.

We will do this and we will do that. Eze Ndigbo of whatever is still in Kirikiri till today for making threats.

When you are not very liked, it is your best interests to keep your cards close to your heart, pretend and play along until you get what you want and make your enemies pay. Read the Art of War.

So what did you intend with carrying your diabolical masquerade to another man's land?

This is an act of war as per African tradition and a desecration of another people's land.

How I wished the Yorubas were not civil to report your provocation to the police but instead deployed the antidote to your madness.

When those behind the masquerade sweep the entire of Lagos up till they get to head bridge Onitsha and the juju clear, they will learn to respect their boundaries and will never step foot on Lagos for fear of sweeping marathon.

GBTYO:
Go ahead and carry your masquerade to Lagos.

Don't even stop at Lagos, go to Benin ring road and display your "superior" culture.

Don't forget to head to the Emir's palace in Kano to show those Muslims your superior culture and voodoo.

Try it.

Na to wait for Eze Ekiti treatment

Dalohad:
And if the inferior people have the power to cause political problems for you? What will you do? Kini e fe se?

If they seek your destruction to make you suffer and have the way and means to do it? What would you do?

My friend would say 'Nwanne, nkwucha abughi ujo'. Use your head.

Many masquerades have been celebrated in Lagos for many years till now. It has never been an issue. Why is it an issue today.

Guo eze gi onu?

Even in this particular event, other masquerades will perform. Even here in the east masquerades who cause trouble are arrested by police.

Dalohad:
If some Ibos can be more circumspect and silent without being overly loudmouthed. They would have solved 50% of their problems.

Let your actions speak, not your big mouths. Especially when you are surrounded by jealous people who have the wherewithal to make you suffer. Use your head Ndigbo. Close your mouth and keep your enemies guessing most of the time.

We will do this and we will do that. Eze Ndigbo of whatever is still in Kirikiri till today for making threats.

When you are not very liked, it is your best interests to keep your cards close to your heart, pretend and play along until you get what you want and make your enemies pay. Read the Art of War.

I really feel that the type of people that should be called inferior people are those that are threatened by others and their ways.
Inferior people don't go to other lands and challenge, inferior people don't run away are resort to hatred and jealousy.
I, personally don't support the masquerade thing because it's IGBOS or other people involved but because, it will not add any value to any group and will most likely cause more hatred and anger and possibly destruction because their are people who will not want it simply because IGBOS are involved not that, they don't like masquerades itself, BTW, masquerades come out of Lagos every time and lagosians seem to want and like it. Which means that the difference here is because it's IGBOS now, so if Lagos will allow it for lagosians but will not allow it for others, you may want to figure out why. That's why I don't think it's okay to see the IGBOS as the inferior ones in this case

Mrfeel:
As if igbos fear those places you mentioned, get over it kid

There are no bigger cowards than an ibo man.

GBTYO:
Go ahead and carry your masquerade to Lagos.

Don't even stop at Lagos, go to Benin ring road and display your "superior" culture.

Don't forget to head to the Emir's palace in Kano to show those Muslims your superior culture and voodoo.

Try it.

You didn't understand the news. Only one particular masquerade was stopped

Mrfeel:
As if igbos fear those places you mentioned, get over it kid

An ibo man behaves himself in those areas I mentioned because those ones have no time for nonesense and will treat your fckup instantly.

GBTYO:
So what did you intend with carrying your diabolical masquerade to another man's land?

This is an act of war as per African tradition and a desecration of another people's land.

How I wished the Yorubas were not civil to report your provocation to the police but instead deployed the antidote to your madness.

When those behind the masquerade sweep the entire of Lagos up till they get to head bridge Onitsha and the juju clear, they will learn to respect their boundaries and will never step foot on Lagos for fear of sweeping marathon.

I hope you understand that this is about a particular masquerade which terrifying and widely feared.