Élho Évbho vs Auchi Vigilante Squad: Aftermath of Sunday’s Otaru-in-Council Meeting

This may not come through to you as a sensible piece. It may not sound like something that should come from my humble self and this could irritate your person to the point of casting a shadow of doubt on my being.

True also is that I may lose you as a follower and or believer in what you perceive me to be.

However, it is what it is and what I have to say should be heard.

I remember vividly when Ikharia Iyuakho Aruna Muhammed -a brother from Iyekhei Heritage Zone who doubles as a fellow of the pen heard of my selection by HRH, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III, Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom to be conferred a traditional/customary title. He asked, “Kadiri, can you do this?”

This was at the time (and still is) a heavy question -loaded with implicit questions, one of which is, “can you hold onto the ethics of Journalism and truly work in line with the dictates of your profession against the interest of the community when need be?”

Ad: Hajj2026

Fast-forward to recent issues that have played out between myself and the Auchi Vigilante Squad, I have again come to truly appreciate that question asked me by my Dogged Tasiu.

However, in Development Journalism, as much as a professional reporter has the responsibility of putting out all that must be reported (as a journalistic responsibility), I’ve come to agree (today) that one can only operate in a community as far as the community would allow.

Yes, although I owe the world news stories (good, bad and ugly) about people, events, places and all in my community, the interest of my community however should not be undermined as I go about my duty -especially when such interest is one that genuinely seeks to keep the community safe from what many have come to see as bad PR.

Having said this, I have come to the conclusion that community comes first before self and since the community will outlive me in the event of my passing, it is important to in the interest of community, put an end to the squabble that recently rared its head between yours sincerely and those who have volunteered to offer our community safety under the umbrella of the Auchi Vigilante Squad.

All who currently nurse any form of perceived or real injury to their person on the account of my recent comments about the modus operandi of the Auchi Vigilante Squad should sheath their swords as I have done mine with a view to continuing our robust relationship and mutual responsibility of promoting an Auchi where everyone is safe and at home.

Noteworthy is to state that although there are defences (even in court) supporting all my actions, a salient question begs for answer and that is, “what is there to gain in my being right if the community I claim to work for is plunged into unrest because of my being right?”

On this premise, I have tendered sincere apologies to the Community -including members of the Auchi Vigilante Squad at the Auchi Royal Palace this morning considering that what we all truly want is the good of our community.

Now for those who felt I shouldn’t have apologized nor conceded to the argument brought forth by stakeholders of our revered Otaru-in-Council on the basis of the fact that I have some merit in my action and in my job as a journalist, please note that I am not and will never be bigger than the community that made me.

Special thanks to Prince Alh. H.M. Momoh, Daudu 1 of Auchi, Chief Alh. Jim Garuba, Daudu of Utsogun Heritage Zone, Prof. Z.I. Oseni, Waziri and Chief Imam of Auchi as well as every Auchi son that was present at the OiC this morning.

Truly, I am an Auchi Son (first) before anything else.

God bless Auchi.

️ Kadiri, J.E.

25/08/024