By Daniel Tyokua
There was confusion on Saturday during the event to mark 2023 world day desertification event organised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Department of Parks and Recreation.
Trouble started when a Civil Defence ( NSCDC) officer and a member of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) engaged in fisticuffs, as officials of Parks and Recreation hoard food, igniting anger between civil defence official and an NYSC member.
But for the quick intervention of some of the guests, including Journalists who were still at the venue, the fight would have escalated, as the other coppers were prepared to join their colleagues in wadding off the aggressors.
The event held at the office of the Department, located within the military protected area of Asokoro, was packed full with guests, many of which were going visibly angry because of the show shame.
It all started when an NSCDC officer, on uniform attempted to forcefully collect a bag containing packs of rice and drinks, from a male NYSC member.
The Corp member who pleaded anonymity, said he tried to explain to the officer that the food packs were meant for his colleagues, who were officially invited for the event, but he refused to listen.
He said , ” One of the staff called me to go and carry food, so I saw the bag and carried it, three Civil Defence Officers just came and hijacked the bag from me . I asked them why are you dragging the bag from me, because I was made to know that its is for NYSC members?
“Before I know what was happening, one of the NSCDC Officers started warning me to be careful, and I said because of food you are pointing at me telling me to take time,
” I told him too, to take time, and he said he will beat me, but I told him that he can’t beat me. Before I know what was happening, he started hitting me, so we started fighting.
One of the Civil Defence Officers, said ” it is wrong for this young man, who call himself an NYSC member to be dragging food with one of our men.
“He is wearing NYSC uniform but can’t express himself in the public, yet he has the guts to disrespect civil defence official because of food, and our people were just looking at them.This is bad,
“My concern is not even the food but how he was fighting with a uniform person.
“I am angry with some of our men who were looking at the whole thing instead of manhandling the guy”.
