Renowned Nigerian comedian and actor, Okey Bakassi, has shared a distressing incident wherein he experienced physical assault during an event in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
Bakassi explained that he was invited to serve as the master of ceremonies (MC) for the occasion, and the confrontation unfolded when it came time to capture photographs with the celebrant.
According to Bakassi, trouble arose when he advocated for an unhindered flow of wedding photographs, and this apparently provoked the assailants who subsequently issued threats. The comedian recounted that he was fortunate to be rescued by personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS). He has expressed his intent to pursue justice for the assault inflicted upon him.
In his words:
“Something happened to me today that I have not experienced in whole 30 years of being a professional Mc and in the entertainment industry.
“I was invited to Mc an event in Owerri, Imo State. While doing my job, it was time for the celebrant to cut the cake. After cutting the cake, I invited people to snap pictures.
“They were coming in batches and as we took photographs, we made way for other people to take pictures.
Some sets of young men came to take pictures, finished taking pictures and engaged the celebrant and they were discussing. I simply called their attention to step aside so that other people can continue the flow of photo section, that was the only interaction I had with them.
“The set of things that followed, first was a threat, ‘do you want something to happen to you in this Owerri?’ It was uncalled for. As an Mc, my role is to just make sure the event was running smoothly.
“When I saw his reaction, I knew he was calling for a fight, I stepped aside.
“I know we live in dangerous times but I will get justice, I will find them. Thank God for the quick response of the Imo State director of DSS and men of the DSS who came to escort me back to my hotel after the event.
“Nobody knows what plans they had and what would have happened but I will let the police do their job, there’s no way I won’t get justice. I look for nobody trouble but for somebody to assault me just in the cause of doing my job, I will definitely get justice.”