By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a dramatic and chaotic scene in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Monday, as the violent and notoriously stubborn masquerade from the community, Agaba Awgbu, attacked popular Nigerian musician, Nonso Innocent Onuzulike, popularly known as Onowu Ugonabọ, while he was performing live on stage at a major traditional event.
The violent attack reportedly occurred at the venue of the Last Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu community, Igwe M.C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III), an event that was meant to be solemn, culturally symbolic and celebratory of the life and reign of the departed monarch.
The incident is also said to be coming not long after the same Agaba masquerade allegedly pushed down an elderly man riding a motorcycle, as well as caused another accident in which another old man reportedly fell off a moving motorcycle and hit his head on a parked vehicle. These and many other bad records and trending videos of Agaba’s acts have raised growing concerns over the notorious masquerade’s unchecked excesses and violent conduct within the community and even along major roads.
The latest incident involving Onowu Ugonabọ (popularly known for his viral track — ‘Ego Mbute’) reportedly ensued when the Agaba masquerade stormed the venue of the Last Ọfala festival in its usual controversial and intimidating manner, instantly charging up the atmosphere and throwing the arena into panic, as many guests and spectators scampered for safety.
As the tension heightened, the masquerade reportedly climbed onto the main stage, where the invited musician, Onowu Ugonabọ, was performing alongside his music crew and musical instruments, and began scattering equipment, disrupting the performance and brutally 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 Ugonabọ, who is also a native of Awgbu community, refused to be intimidated. The musician was said to have gallantly stood his ground, firmly declining to abandon the stage or yield to the masquerade, even as Agaba reportedly pushed him repeatedly and attempted to cross over to the area where the major musical equipment were mounted.
These claims were corroborated by multiple video clips from the scene, which are currently trending on social media, showing the Agaba masquerade rampaging on the stage, destroying musical instruments and being cheered on, shielded and emboldened by some of its followers and supporters.
The video clips also captured disturbing moments when some supporters of the masquerade began throwing harmful objects at the musician, including plastic chairs, tables, sachet water and other items, further escalating the violence and endangering lives at the event.
Although the masquerade eventually left the stage, the damage had already been done, with several musical instruments reportedly destroyed and the event thrown into chaos. Furthermore, videos and reports of the incident have continued to trend on social media, attracting reactions and counter-reactions from netizens.
In their separate reactions, many netizens strongly condemned the attack and the masquerade’s notoriety, describing it as barbaric, lawless and an abuse of cultural expression; even as many others call for the immediate ban of the violent Agaba Awgbu masquerade to prevent further brutality, destructions or loss of lives.
Reacting to the incident, a social media user wrote:
“Ndi Awgbu must tender public apology to Onowugonabor and quickly find that old man that Agaba threw away from motorcycle before we hear any sad news. It’s time to ban that masquerade of destruction now or watch how terrible it will turn out if nothing is done to that masquerade.
“How can culture be destructive? How can a masquerade destroy millions of musical instruments and assault an aged man, because of what?
“Culture is dynamic and evolves, not static and satanic. If your culture cannot evolve, then yank it off.
“It’s time Awgbu made a statement with this Agaba or watch the defeat of Agaba that’s already near.
“Onowu nwanne mu, you’re a man and your chi is with you. Forgive those who acted ignorantly yesterday and focus to avoid them dragging you down.”
Beyond the immediate outrage, other netizens have also raised questions about community leadership, cultural regulation and the role of government authorities in checking excesses associated with masquerade activities, especially when they pose clear threats to public safety and dignity.
Efforts by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, to get the reaction of the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, proved abortive, as he neither responded to his call nor returned same as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, many netizens have continued to re-echo the call on stakeholders, Awgbu community, traditional institutions, concerned government agencies, security agencies and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene, thoroughly investigate the incident and other violent acts of the masquerade and take immediate decisive action to ensure that culture remains a symbol of identity and pride, not violence, fear and destruction.
Watch some videos from the scenes below:
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