The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has vowed not to be distracted by what it described as the disruptive activities of some expelled former members, following attack of its scheduled conference in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The President of the Institute, Engr. Timothy Iwagwu who addressed journalists in Lokoja after the incident, said the organisation was compelled to cancel the event after some non-members allegedly disrupted the programme and harassed invited guests.
The conference was scheduled as part of activities marking the 12th anniversary of ISPON as a chartered professional body.
According to the President, the Institute was established on May 19, 2014, by an Act of the National Assembly, adding that the 2026 anniversary had been marked with a series of activities across the country.
Engr Iwagwu said the Institute had earlier held an elaborate anniversary ceremony in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, before proceeding to Edo State, where it opened a new office and organized a stakeholders’ workshop involving participants from the public and private sectors.
He noted the Institute subsequently moved to Kogi State for the conference, describing the activities as a hectic week for members and stakeholders.
Explaining why the scheduled conference was not streamed live as earlier announced, Iwagwu, said an “unfortunate incident” occurred at the venue in Lokoja, kogi state capital.
He alleged that some non-members of the Institute deliberately attacked and harassed members , leading to the decision by the leadership to ask invitees to leave the venue for safety.
He identified one of those involved in the attack as Friday Sani Makama whom he described as impostor as he was not a member of the Institute.
The President further alleged that Makama claimed to have been sent by the Kogi State Government to disrupt the event, a claim he described as false.
He said the Institute was convinced that the Kogi State Government would not be involved in such an action and that it therefore chose not to respond in a manner that could escalate the situation.
“Because we believe in the rule of law, we refuse to respond in kind,” he said.
According to him, the Institute had access to security agencies that could have intervened, but such a move, he feared, could have escalated the situation and possibly resulted in violence.
He said the leadership of the Institute instead contacted the Director-General of the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja, who subsequently communicated with the state governor.
The President said the Director-General conveyed the governor’s displeasure over what he described as the “inglorious attitude” of the individual who allegedly used the name of the state government to cause confusion at the event.
He said the Institute accepted the apology and had also formally petitioned the AIG, Zone 8, Lokoja, over the incident, adding that an investigative process had commenced.
The President lamented the financial losses incurred by the Institute as a result of the disruption, saying substantial resources had been committed to the conference.
He listed flight tickets, hotel accommodation, road transportation and feeding among the expenses incurred by the Institute.
He said professionals had travelled from different parts of the country, including the Northeast, Northwest and North Central, as well as Yola, Port Harcourt, Calabar and other locations, to attend the conference.
According to him, the disruption was therefore unfortunate, considering the efforts and resources committed by the Institute and its members.
He announced that the Institute would organise another conference and communicate the new date and arrangements to its individual and corporate members.
The President also apologised to the invited guests, saying the Institute had a duty of care to ensure that its guests were not embarrassed.
He urged Nigerians to be wary of what he described as “quacks” and “unprofessional elements” allegedly operating under the name of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria.
He said some of those involved were formerly members of the Institute but had been expelled after disciplinary measures were taken against them.
The President alleged that despite their expulsion, the individuals had continued to use the name of the Institute.
He disclosed that the Institute had offered the former members amnesty and pardon during its 12th anniversary ceremony in Uyo, but said the gesture did not prevent the dispute from continuing.
Speaking on the long-running legal dispute, the ISPON President alleged that the expelled former members had approached the Federal High Court in Benin on January 1, 2024, claiming to be members of the Institute and seeking the court’s approval to conduct an election.
He said the dispute subsequently resulted in a judgment delivered on September 26, 2024.
According to him, the judgment was later set aside on June 9,2026 following the Institute’s challenge of the circumstances surrounding the case.
He said the court found grounds including alleged deceit, suppression of material facts and abuse of court processes.
The President maintained that the setting aside of the judgment meant that actions purportedly carried out pursuant to the earlier judgment were also nullified.
He said the Institute had consistently relied on the rule of law in addressing the dispute.
Responding to questions from journalists, he said the annulment affected activities allegedly carried out by the faction pursuant to the September 26, 2024 judgment, including annual general meetings and elections.
He also disputed claims that an appeal automatically restored the earlier judgment, insisting that the status quo should be remained until an appellate court ruled otherwise.
The President further alleged that some of the individuals involved were facing criminal charges in addition to the civil dispute.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that the incident in Lokoja did not degenerate into physical violence.
He thanked the Kogi State Government, security agencies, members of the press, the Kogi State branch of ISPON and members of the professional body for their support.
He said the Institute remained committed to professionalism, good character and the rule of law, stressing that the leadership would continue to pursue peaceful and lawful means of resolving the dispute.
The Institute, he added, would communicate a new date for the Lokoja conference to members and stakeholders.
