Why nobody died during Nwafor Ogidi Festival …as masquerades restricted to the interior

www.odogwublog.com reports that the dreaded week-long annual Nwafor Festival of Ogidi Community, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, has ended without anybody declared dead by either the community or the security agencies.

It was alleged that deaths are recorded yearly before proactive measures adopted now by security operatives and leaders of the community.

Addressing newsmen on why there was no record of casualty figure, the President General of the Red cap Chiefs, Kingsley Anyaegbunam Ndilika hinted that the community through its President General, Dr. Eric Obiakor, warned dreaded and troublesome masquerades to steer clear of major roads, avoid harassing, assaulting women and strangers days to the commencement of the festival.

He said it was also agreed that non indigenes of the community would be barred from participating in the masquerading to help identify the devil reincarnate.

“We have also our members on white attire who patrol the roads to find out masquerades and persons who may flout the order so that such persons would face the wrath of the law”, he stated.
Flanked by the Chairman of Tradition, Chief Emeka Nwobi and Financial Secretary of the Red Cap Chiefs, Chief Daniel Enendu, Chief Ndilika described Nwafor Festival as the highest of all celebrations in the area stating that it is a period of cultivation and preparation for harvesting of farm produce about December.
He commended Governor Willie Obiano, the Police in Ogidi and other Security Operatives for the proactive measures which resulted in the peaceful ceremony adding that the Governor has been able to sack criminals out of the state.

It would be recalled that the Chief Priest of the Inwelle Shrine, (Ezechuamuagha) Chief Felix Agbata and his Legal Adviser, Barr Pat Agbata had earlier called for peaceful celebration of the festival and warned that troublemakers would be dealt with.
They reiterated that the event is for reunion as it is a period of mass return.
The Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Hassan Musa and the Commander, Idemili North and South Surveillance Vigilance Group, Mr. Arthur Ilongwu, told newsmen that their men were sent to flashpoints and patrol vehicles worked round the clock, before, during and after the festival in concert with the community leaders which resulted in hitch-free Nwafor Festival.
Chairman of Ofuobi Age Grade Umuru Ogidi, Chief Chris Onwudiwe, Dr. Peter Nwabueze and Mr. Eric Okafor, hinted that there was nothing fetish about Nwafor Festival as it is a period of reunion, interaction and merry-making.
According to them with the level of education and awareness, now people have come to realize that it is for interaction.
Photos

Pix 1: Chief Priest of the Inwelle Shrine, (Ezechuamuagha) Chief Felix Agbata

Pix 2: Ndi ichie Ogidi: L-R Financial Secretary, President and Chairman of Tradition