Anambra: Police arrest masquerade over violent attacks

A masquerade

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a masquerade alleged to have carried out unprovoked violent attacks on residents, leading to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

In a viral video circulating online, the masquerade was seen chasing and attacking passers-by, disrupting a public function and causing tension in the community.

The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend during the last Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu community, Igwe M. C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III).

The video clips showed the masquerade going on the rampage, forcefully pushing riders off motorcycles, chasing people at sight and destroying equipment, while being cheered by followers.

In one of the videos, the masquerade was seen pushing down an elderly man riding a motorcycle, and causing another accident in which an aged man reportedly fell off a moving motorcycle and hit his head on a parked vehicle.

Some supporters were also seen throwing harmful objects, including plastic chairs, tables and sachet water, at people during a public function, further escalating the violence and endangering lives.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the masquerade had been taken into custody, adding that investigations were ongoing to arrest other culprits. Punch