- Enugu masquerades brutalize, extort money from residents, motorists
- Police arrest three, accuse them of assault and infliction of bodily harm on members of the public
- The matter has been adjourned till July 31, 2025 even as the three accused remain in prison custody
Residents and road users at Ameze, Aguechara and Umuakashi communities in Nsukka local government areas of Enugu state have decried the growing masquerade brutality in the area.
According to the residents and road users in these communities the Oriokpa masquerades in the said communities have continued to be a source of threat to free movement of people, vehicles and motorbikes.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered these communities which are the host communities of the first Nigeria indigenous university, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN.
One of the victims of the Oriokpa masquerade brutality, Cosmas Ugwu told our reporter that ” two Sundays ago I was going on a bike from Onuiyi to Isiakpu to see a friend. When I got to Obechara junction, I was stopped by two masquerades on the road, demanding that I give them money. When I wanted to explain to them that I don’t have any money on me, they started flogging me like a criminal. It took the sound of police siren which was heading to Ugwoye junction for these killer masquerades to let me go.”
However, narrating his ordeal, Jonathan Ogbodo, a student of UNN told WITHIN NIGERIA that ” last week while I was going to Ikenga junction, I was stopped by these masquerades at Barracks junction. I told them that I don’t have any cash and they quickly gave me their bank account details, waited for me and I transferred N200 each before they could let me go.”
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that two weeks ago, fresh chaos has erupted in these communities following the violent return of the masquerades—despite a prior ban placed on them after last year’s brutal assault on nurse Blessing Ogbonna.
Nevertheless, over that weekend, viral videos showed disturbing scenes of residents being assaulted by the group. In one video, a man is flogged and reportedly stabbed after refusing to give these masquerades money. In another, a different victim is knocked to the ground by a masquerade, sending waves of fear through the community.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗸𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Last week, the Enugu State Government has expressed displeasure over the Oriokpa masquerades’ excesses, especially their renewed attacks on Nsukka residents.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ugochi Madueke, stated the government’s stance on the development in a statement she made in Enugu on Tuesday. Madueke described the act as violent conduct, which constituted a public nuisance.
“The State Government will take decisive action to bring the menace to an end. Flogging, harassment, brutality and extortion of residents by masqueraders are unacceptable and negate the people’s authentic culture.
“Masquerades are revered in our culture and, therefore, expected to be conducted with dignity, safety and protection of citizens’ rights,” the statement added.
The commissioner further stated that the masquerades’ conduct violated the conditions upon which their earlier ban was lifted.
“The continuous abuse of this sacred tradition by some individuals is alarming and regrettable. They have regrettably turned cultural displays into opportunities for violence, intimidation and extortion.
“This contravenes previous engagements the government had with stakeholders and custodians of Nsukka tradition on the issue,” the statement added.
Madueke reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance for cultural practices which endanger public safety or violate the law.
“The government is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those involved in the incident were identified and brought to justice.
“A comprehensive review of the Oriokpa masquerade’s activities will commence immediately with a fresh ban in consideration.
“Community leaders and custodians of culture should ensure that all cultural practices are peaceful and safe for the citizens,” she further stated.
Enugu government remands three masquerades
However, on Friday, June 27, an Enugu Magistrate Court of Nsukka Magisterial District remanded three people linked to the Oriokpa Masquerade assault and infliction of bodily harm on members of the public.
The three accused persons are Emeka Eze (33), Omeke Uchechukwu (22), and Malachi Michael Nnaemeka (30) were on Tuesday arrested by the operatives of the Enugu State Police Command.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that they were subsequently arraigned and remanded on three counts charge bordering on conspiracy, demanding money with menaces, and causing grievous harm.
The police accused them for their involvement in the assault and infliction of bodily harm on members of the public under the guise of celebrating the Oriokpa Masquerade.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said that the case has been adjourned to July 31, 2025, for further hearing.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the masquerade group who are currently at large,” said SP Daniel Ndukwe.
This is following the earlier viral video that circulated on June 22, in which some masquerades were seen along Aku Road in Nsukka, assaulting some residents.
Police, however, reported that a male victim was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from the masqueraders’ attack.
“Subsequently, the three suspects were identified and arrested with the assistance of law-abiding members of the community, while others fled,” Ndukwe said.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police to have urged community leaders across Enugu State to caution their subjects against committing crimes under the guise of masquerade or other cultural celebrations.
He warned that the police command is determined to ensure justice is served and to prevent similar incidents in the future.