Nigeria may soon lose the services of one of its finest entertainers, Enebeli Elebuwa, if urgent medical attention is not provided for his left eye, which was recently battered by a heartless Nigerian, Onyeka Dike. In a voice filled with tears and regret, the veteran actor, who became famous in the “Andrew Wants To Check Out”, TV re-orientation promo, in the 80’s, narrated how his ordeal began in the hands of 47 year old Dike, an auto dealer at Berger, Apapa, Lagos.

According to Elebuwa, 62, “ What you are looking at (removing his dark spectacle to reveal a battered left eye), happened in the evening of Friday, November 28, 2008, at the Mobil Filling Station, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos”.

Explaining further, now weeping Elebuwa, who was also writhing in pains said: “ We were on a moving queue when this young man came from nowhere and wanted to jump the queue with his car, but other law abiding motorists protested but the man refused. That was when I alighted from my car and was trying to plead with him to follow due process. But to my consternation, he started cursing and shouting my full name and told me to get out of his sight. When I tried again to calm him down, he started abusing me and boasted that my being an actor does not mean he cannot deal with me and nothing would happen. I later got closer and asked him, if I was not old enough to be his father. I had not finished saying this when he brought out a sharp object and stabbed me in the eyes at a close range and I immediately passed out.”

Elebuwa, further disclosed that when this happened, an angry mob that had already gathered descended on Dike, and were about lynching him, when some plain clothes policemen came and whisked him away to Aguda Police Station, Surulere.

Though, at the station, during our visit, an officer who pleaded for anonymity confirmed the incident and disclosed that Dike was detained for three days, before being released on bail. He referred us to the office of the Lagos State Force PRO, for more information on the case.

Elebuwa, also called on well meaning Nigerians to immediately come to his aid, adding that his doctor had advised him to travel abroad for further treatment, but he could not afford the bills. I’m totally helpless now and cannot even work due to my condition, and have spent so much on the eye. Well meaning Nigerians should come to my aid, I do not want to go blind,” he pleaded.

While condemning the unwholesome attack on Elebuwa, Mr. Ejike Asiegbu, the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), also urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to ensure that the suspect does not go scot free. “ We are appealing to the police authority to ensure that the man that perpetrated this evil act does not go free. The security agencies should do something, because attacks on entertainers, especially our people in Nollywood are on the increase. We are just entertainers doing our best to help re brand and repackage the image of this country through our creative arts, but some social misfits and disgruntled Nigerians, are not happy with our collective efforts, its uncalled for.”

Also speaking, Mr. Adim Williams, the vice president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), said his association and all the other bodies in Nollywood condemned the attack in its entirety, adding that the suspect must be immediately brought to justice. “We want this man to be quickly charged to court, and jailed if found guilty, at least, that will serve as a deterrent to others still lurking behind.”