Three Oriokpa masqueraders involved in violent attacks on residents of Nsukka town in Enugu State last Sunday have been arrested by police.
Spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the arrests were made on Monday, June 23, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m. by operatives from the Nsukka Urban Division, working in collaboration with community members.
Oriokpa Masquerades go gaga, terrorise Nsukka, residents call for govt intervention
According to Ndukwe, the suspects—along with others still at large—took advantage of the Oriokpa masquerade celebration to launch unprovoked attacks on innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily harm.
“One of the victims was hospitalised due to injuries sustained during the attack,” he said. “The masqueraders initially resisted arrest and fled the scene, but with the support of vigilant residents, three of them were later identified and apprehended.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a full investigation into the incident, stressing that while masquerade festivals hold cultural significance, they must not be used as cover for criminal behavior.
“Masquerade celebrations are a sacred part of our heritage,” Giwa stated, “but the exploitation of such occasions to perpetrate violence is unacceptable. We are committed to ensuring all those responsible are brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has condemned the series of violent incidents involving the Oriokpa masquerade in Nsukka town, describing them as acts of brutality, harassment, and public nuisance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, expressed the government’s deep concern over the flogging, harassment, and extortion of residents by the masqueraders. She stressed that such actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the true cultural values of the people of Enugu.
“Masquerades are a respected element of our cultural heritage and must be carried out with respect for the safety, dignity, and rights of all citizens,” Madueke said. “The recent violent behavior of the Oriokpa masquerade violates the conditions under which an earlier ban on their activities was lifted.”
She added that it was disheartening to see some individuals misuse sacred cultural traditions as a platform for violence and intimidation, despite previous warnings and engagements with cultural stakeholders in the Nsukka zone.
The government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for any cultural practice that threatens public safety or breaks the law. It also announced that it is working with law enforcement to ensure that everyone involved in the disturbances is identified and prosecuted.
As part of its response, the state government will immediately begin a comprehensive review of Oriokpa masquerade activities and is considering reinstating a ban if necessary.
“We urge traditional rulers, community leaders, and custodians of culture to take responsibility and ensure that all masquerade activities are peaceful, lawful, and respectful,” Madueke said. “Culture must unify, not divide. It must celebrate identity, not inflict harm.”
