Police Prosecute Masquerades In Akwa Ibom

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested two individuals, including the leader of a masquerade cultural group for a series of criminal activities including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion in the state.

The arrest followed a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld) reporting the illegal display of a masquerade cultural group that was attacking citizens, blocking a public highway and extorting money from members of the public passing through the route.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in a statement in Uyo weekend, stated that the perpetrators, armed with sphere arrows, machetes, sticks and other weapons, were used physically in assaulting members of the public, including NYSC members.

She added that upon investigation, the leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade in the village, one Uwem Umanah ‘M’, 45, had authorized members of the group to wear masks and disguise themselves in masquerade costumes in public, despite an existing ban on such displays.

DSP John further stated that upon receipt of the information, Operatives of the Command immediately dispatched to the scene and arrested the alleged mastermind, Uwem Umanah.

In a related development, one David Michael ‘M’, 34, of Ikot Obong Edong Village, was arrested at Ukana Onuk Village being in possession of complete masquerade costumes, preparing to storm the area.

The Police image maker said that all the suspects have been charged to court following a thorough investigation into the matter.

She maintained that the Police would not tolerate acts of lawlessness, intimidation or violence under any guise, including the unauthorized use of cultural paraphernalia to perpetrate crime.

The Command urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and useful information to the Police to prevent crime and ensure that all communities remain safe and secure for lawful activities.