Reputable Oriokpa masqueraders attacked two people at the University Town of Nsukka in the Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, resulting in their deaths.
On Tuesday, September 20,24, a woman was chased by one of the Oriokpa masquerades and met her tragic end along Aku Road, Obechara area, Nsukka. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
She crashed into a moving vehicle while trying to flee, killing herself instantaneously and sending shockwaves through the crowd.
Another incident at Nru Junction claimed the life of a young man who was subsequently identified as a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) student.
Sources indicate that he might have been attempting to flee the masquerades when he was engulfed in the confusion that followed, even if the circumstances of his death are still unknown.
In a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Friday, Chief Okey Ogbodo, the state commissioner for local government, rural development, and chieftaincy affairs, confirmed this. He said the State Government has initiated a thorough investigation into the operations of Oriokpa Masquerade groups and promised to hold those responsible accountable.
The impacted communities, according to the statement, include Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo.
According to Ogbodo, the masqueraders’ acts have caused chaos, injuries, and fatalities in these locations.
He revealed that the Commissioner of Police has been instructed by Governor Peter Mbah to look into the incidences and penalize those accountable.
The government has emphasized its commitment to defending the rights and security of its citizens by announcing that it will not put up with any more abuses from any group or person.
The traditional leaders and town union presidents-general of the impacted communities are thus invited to meet with the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs at the State Secretariat on Friday, September 27, 2024, in accordance with the explicit directive of His Excellency, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah. The message said, “The location is the Office of the Honorable Commissioner, and the hour is 1 pm prompt.
“Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo are the affected communities.”
Additionally, the governor has instructed the Commissioner of Police to launch a thorough investigation into the incidents right now, including the reported fatalities brought on by the operations of the aforementioned masquerade groups, in order to apprehend those responsible.
The government issued a warning that it would not tolerate any more excesses by individuals or groups, even as it expressed sympathy to the families of those who were allegedly killed in circumstances related to the masquerades’ actions.
Meanwhile, the excesses committed by any individual or organization are disapproved of by the Enugu State Government. The rights and safety of our women, children, and youth—as well as all Enugu State citizens and residents—must always be secured, so our people should never be forced to live in terror.
The statement concluded, “Therefore, the government will impose the appropriate sanctions on any such excesses by the Oriokpa masqueraders or any group for that matter.”
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