Panic swept through the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State, on Sunday as the infamous Oriokpa masquerades resurfaced, launching violent attacks on unsuspecting road users in two separate incidents that left many residents traumatised.
Despite a ban placed on their activities in May 2024—following the merciless beating of a nurse, Miss Blessing Ogbonna—the masquerades have returned with alarming brutality.
Eyewitness accounts and disturbing footage shared on Monday show one masquerade stabbing a man who reportedly lost consciousness after being beaten for refusing to give them money. In another video, a young man is seen being mercilessly attacked, while bystanders can be heard crying out in distress.
The resurgence of the masquerades has triggered public outrage, with residents demanding urgent action from the Enugu State Government.
“If this continues and the government does not take decisive action, anarchy may break out and the government will have a bigger problem on its hands. The earlier the better,” a commentator said.
Following last year’s incident involving Miss Ogbonna, the Nsukka Town Union had suspended all masquerade activities. However, that ban was later lifted, and the masquerades have now returned with increased aggression.
Community members are calling for the immediate reinstatement of the ban and stronger enforcement measures to ensure public safety.
“The Oriokpa masquerades are a law unto themselves where there is a town union, local, state, and federal governments. We seem to forget that the federal government owns a university here and its students and staff can become victims.
“So, if the town union, local government and state government would not step up, the Federal Government can step in with its might,” a resident opined.
As tensions escalate, the people of Nsukka are pleading for swift and decisive action from the state authorities to prevent further violence and restore order in the community.
