Thursday, January 15, 2026 - The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a masquerader
accused of unleashing unprovoked violent attacks on residents during a festival
in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest followed the circulation of viral video clips
showing the masquerader chasing and assaulting passers-by, disrupting a public
function and creating panic in the community.
Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday that the incident
occurred over the weekend during the last Ofala Festival of the late
traditional ruler of Awgbu, Igwe M. C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu
III).
Footage from the scene showed the masquerader going on a
rampage—forcefully pushing riders off motorcycles, chasing people on sight and
destroying equipment—while being cheered on by followers.
In one of the videos circulating online, the masquerader was seen pushing an elderly man off a motorcycle. Another clip
captured an accident in which an elderly man reportedly fell from a moving
motorcycle and hit his head on a parked vehicle.
Supporters of the masquerader were also seen throwing
harmful objects, including plastic chairs, tables and sachet water, at people
during the public function, further escalating the violence and endangering
lives.
Confirming the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, the
spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the
suspect had been taken into custody and that investigations were ongoing to
apprehend other culprits.
Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to
inform members of the public, especially Ndi Anambra and other concerned
persons, that the command has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the
unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens, which led to a breach of
public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
“The command notes that the behaviour of the masquerader, as
seen in the viral video currently in circulation, is totally unacceptable and
unlawful and will not be tolerated under any guise.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice."
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