By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested and taken into custody the notorious Agaba Awgbu masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks that recently disrupted public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
The arrest is coming hours after earlier report by Onyokimita News on the violent activities of the masquerade and its followers that have sparked off a chain of reactions and public condemnation, with many calling for the arrest and ban of the masquerade.
This development comes barely two days after a viral incident in which the stubborn masquerade attacked a prominent Anambra-born musician, Nonso Innocent Onuzulike, popularly known as Onowu Ugonabọ, destroyed musical equipment and also caused panic during the Last Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu, Igwe M.C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III). Videos of the masquerade’s attack and its other violent activities flooded the media space thereafter, further fuelling the call for its arrest.
However, in a press statement issued on Tuesday, January 14, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the masquerade has been apprehended
According to the statement, the masquerade is currently in custody, for its violent conduct, which the Police described as unacceptable, unlawful and a clear breach of public peace.
“The behaviour of the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, is totally unacceptable, unlawful, and will not be tolerated under any guise,” the Police declare in the statement.
The Command further disclosed that investigations are already ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure that all persons involved are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Read the earlier report and watch the videos here:
