Three members of the ‘Oriokpa’ masquerade group have been arrested by police in Nsukka, Enugu State, for allegedly assaulting residents.
According to police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspects were detained on June 23 around 3:30 p.m. with the help of community members.
Their arrest followed a viral video showing the group physically attacking citizens during a public outing on June 22. Investigations are ongoing.
“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.
“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.
“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.
“However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.
The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.
Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.
He said that the state police chief , however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.
Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the ‘Oriokpa’ masqueraders.
“The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added.
