By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Police operatives have arrested and detained a popular masquerade for allegedly causing public disturbance and destruction of property.
The masquerade was arrested by the operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command over its alleged nuisance in defiance of the state government’s recent subsisting ban on masquerade activities.
According to reports, the masquerade, identified as Effiong, was apprehended on Tuesday after residents of the affected community raised alarm over his activities, as he was reportedly terrorising residents, creating panic, and damaging property within the area.
The arrest followed multiple distress reports by community members who alleged that the said controversial Akwa Ibom masquerade openly flouted the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno’s directive outlawing all public masquerade displays in the state, with effect from this Christmas.
Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, who paraded the masquerade, declared that he is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The Police Command further noted that despite repeated warnings, many masqueraders across the state have continued to violate the ban, turning what should be cultural expressions into tools of intimidation, violence, and lawlessness.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Eno, who is the Founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International and member of The Apostolic Church, recently ordered a statewide ban on masquerade activities, citing rising cases of harassment, physical assault, destruction of property, and threats to public safety linked to such displays.
Police authorities, on their own assured their commitment to enforcing the directive to the latter, warning that anyone found violating the ban would face the full wrath of the law.
The authorities further urged residents of the state to continue reporting any suspicious activities, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the arrested masquerade’s actions proceeds.
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