Ukpono Anietie, PH
The Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate in Lagos State, Fredrick Nwajagu, has been arrested following a viral video where he was seen making inciting statements.
Nwajagu, who is a leader in the Igbo community in Lagos, had threatened to invite members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect the properties of Igbo people in the state.
In the video that has been circulating online, Nwajagu had stated unequivocally that IPOB members would be invited to safeguard the shops and businesses of Igbo people in Lagos.
According to Nwajagu, having IPOB members provide security would serve as a deterrent to those who have been attacking Igbo people at odd hours.
Nwajagu was quoted as saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that.
“We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon.
“When they discover that we have our security before they will come, they will take caution. I am not saying a single word to be hidden. I am not hiding my words, let my words go viral.
Igbo must get their right and get a stand in Lagos State,” he finished.
The controversial video caused quite a stir online, with many people condemning Nwajagu’s statements as irresponsible and capable of inciting violence.
It didn’t take long for the authorities to swing into action, with a joint team of policemen and operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) launching a manhunt for the Eze Ndigbo.
According to an anonymous police source, Nwajagu was arrested early on Saturday morning after a team of security operatives tracked him down to a hotel in Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos.
The source stated that the police and DSS team had initially gone to Nwajagu’s palace, but he had already fled by the time they arrived.
However, they were able to track him down to where he was arrested without incident.
The arrest of Nwajagu has been welcomed by many who see his statements as an attempt to create chaos and incite violence in Lagos.
However, the authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate any form of incitement to violence or threats to public safety.
