•Lands in police net

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A reckless masquerade on the loose fondly called “Agaba Ogbu” on Monday created a chaotic scene in Awgbu community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State with the attack of people on the road and popular Nigerian musician, Nonso Innocent Onuzulike, aka Onowu Ugonabu, while he was performing live on stage at a traditional event.

The unruly behaviour and the attack was said to have happened at the venue of the Last Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu community, Igwe M.C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III),

Informarion has it that the Agaba masquerade had before storming the venue of the event allegedly pushed down an elderly man riding a motorcycle and also caused another accident where another old man reportedly fell off a moving motorcycle and hit his head on a parked vehicle, but it is yet to be if the man made it out alive.

It was gathered that the fracas with Onowu Ugonabu, popularly known for his viral track — ‘Ego Mbute’ reportedly ensued when the Agaba masquerade entered the venue of the Last Ofala festival in its usual intimidating manner and immediately charged up the atmosphere, throwing the arena into panic, as many guests and spectators scampered for safety.

As the tension heightened, the masquerade climbed onto the main stage, where the invited musician, Onowu Ugonabu, was performing alongside his music crew and began scattering musical equipment, disrupting the performance and attempting to chase everyone off the stage.

While several members of the music crew and others on the stage fled for safety and some hid under the stage, Onowu Ugonabu, who is also a native of Awgbu community, refused to be intimidated.

A video trending on social media showed the musician standing fearless and in rage as the masquerade walked up to him and pushed him.

He refused to abandon the stage or yield to the masquerade, even as the Agaba masquerade pushed him repeatedly and attempted to cross over to the area where the major musical equipment were mounted.

The Agaba masquerade on rampage further went on to destroy musical instruments while being cheered on and shielded by some of its followers and supporters.

The video clip also captured disturbing moments when some supporters of the masquerade began throwing harmful objects including plastic chairs, tables at the musician who did not budge or leave the stage for the masquerade and his followers.

Although the masquerade eventually left the stage, the damage was already been done, with several musical instruments reportedly destroyed and the event thrown into chaos.

The viral video which has sent shock wave around the state has led to the arrest of the masquerade by the Anambra State Police Command.

The Command in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga said it is informing members of the public that the masquerade responsible for the disturbance at an event in the state has been taken into custody.

According to Ikenga, the actions of the masquerade as captured in a viral video currently circulating on social media is totally unacceptable, unlawful and contrary to public order., saying that the Command will not tolerate such an action under any guise, irrespective of cultural or traditional considerations.

The statement added: ”The suspect is currently being detained by the Police, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all other individuals who may have been involved in the incident.”

He however assured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that all those found culpable are brought to justice.