Ijagemo crisis: Chief Balogun denies role, urges calm after Nwachukwu’s death
The Baale of Ijagemo in Lagos, High Chief Jimoh Olateju Balogun, has distanced himself from the circumstances surrounding the death of Charles Nwachukwu, calling for calm and urging residents to allow security agencies to carry out a full investigation.
Nwachukwu died following a dispute with some hoodlums in the Ijagemo area, sparking tension and rumours within the community.
However, Balogun said he had no prior knowledge of the incident and was only informed after it had already occurred.
“I am not aware of what happened until I was informed to intervene, but it has been reported that the man has died,” the community leader told journalists.
He explained that initial reports indicated a fight had broken out in the area, which later resulted in the fatality. According to him, the matter has since been reported to the police, who have taken over the investigation.
Balogun expressed concern over what he described as false claims linking him to the incident, stressing that the incident occurred at a beer parlour located far from his palace.
He maintained that he neither had involvement in the dispute nor knowledge of its root cause.
While offering condolences to the family of the deceased, the Baale urged anyone with grievances to seek justice through lawful means rather than resorting to violence or retaliation.
He also issued a warning to individuals attempting to incite unrest, stating that anyone found fomenting trouble would be handed over to security agencies.
Reaffirming the peaceful nature of the Ijagemo community, Balogun подчеркнул that residents of different ethnic backgrounds, including the Igbo community, coexist without discrimination.
He attributed the area’s stability to mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance among its people.
He further encouraged residents to go about their normal activities, assuring them that law enforcement authorities were actively working to identify and prosecute those responsible for the incident.
