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 the potential breach of peace.
This decision was made following a meeting between Igbo stakeholders in Lagos and the police commissioner.
The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade, 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 raised concerns and reservations about its presence.
CP Olawale explained that both residents and indigenes were uncomfortable with the masquerade’s presence in Lagos after a group associated with it boasted about unleashing mayhem.
He played a video recording showing the masquerade performing rituals, which heightened suspicions about their intentions.
The police commissioner emphasized that every tribe has its own masquerade, which operates within its cultural context, and that the Ajofia is an Igbo masquerade that should not come to Lagos State, which is home to another tribe.
Eze Nwachukwu, responding on behalf of Ndigbo, thanked the CP for the meeting and acknowledged the message.
Despite Eze Nwachukwu’s emphasis on the peaceful nature of the festival featuring the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade in Lagos, indigenous people of the state have voiced strong objections to its appearance. They are concerned that it could pose a risk to individuals who are unfamiliar with the traditional significance and cultural context of the masquerade.
According to reports, in Igbo mythology, the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is believed to possess spiritual powers, which can be unsettling for those who do not 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 unfamiliar with its cultural significance.
The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is traditionally not performed in front of women, which adds to its air of mystery and exclusivity.
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.