The Police Officers’ Mess, Ikeja, Lagos, was abuzz on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, as intellectuals, traditional rulers, security experts and literary enthusiasts gathered for the official launch of Blood on Our Hands, a gripping new book by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ogadinma Ezeh.
The event was marked by a rich blend of cultural homage and intellectual discourse, with speakers praising the author for daring to capture what many described as the unfiltered realities of life in Nigeria.
His Royal Highness, Eze Dr. Chika Nwokedi, the Eze Igbo of Lagos, lauded Ezeh for overcoming challenges to weave a story that deals with an individual’s struggles in a way that sparks reflection.
Representing the royal father of the day, Oba Abdullahi Aremu Aromire, the Ojora of Ijora Kingdom, Chief Akeem Oladipupo Ojora, the Bashorun of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, hailed the book for reigniting Nigeria’s dwindling reading culture. He encouraged the youth to embrace reading as a pathway to better understanding of society and themselves.
In his review, Professor Luke Onuoha, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, drew the audience’s attention to the book’s central message: that destiny is self-determined, with God as the ultimate guide. He highlighted the themes of reconciliation, perseverance and positivity woven through the pages.
Adding an inter-state royal perspective, HRH Dr. Ambassador Olusegun from Ekiti emphasized how the book resonates with both law enforcement officers and civilians. According to him, Blood on Our Hands could help foster improved police-community relations by deepening understanding between the uniformed and the public.
The event also featured critical insights from Prince Albert Uba, journalist and criminologist, who described the work as “akin to a Chinua Achebe masterpiece.” He praised Ezeh’s storytelling for its depth and societal relevance, recommending the book as essential reading for schools, homes and literary circles.
As conversations lingered long after the formal unveiling, one thing was clear, DSP Ogadinma Ezeh’s Blood on Our Hands is more than just a book. It is a social intervention wrapped in the art of storytelling, a bold attempt to challenge, enlighten and inspire.
