Police Arrest Masquerade For Assaulting Woman In Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest and arraignment of a masquerade accused of assaulting a woman in the Nsukka area. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, issued a statement on Thursday detailing the incident.

According to Ndukwe, the masquerade, known locally as Oriokpa, was apprehended by operatives from the Nsukka Sector of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad on May 12, 2024, around 3:45 p.m. The arrest took place at Ugwuoye Junction, Nsukka, where the masquerade was reportedly seen physically assaulting a female victim.

The masquerader was later identified as 22-year-old Ugwuoke Ebube. He was arraigned in court on Wednesday in Nsukka and subsequently granted bail.

Ndukwe explained that the police investigation revealed Ebube was part of a group of masqueraders involved in a similar incident in April 2024, where a female nurse riding a motorcycle was assaulted. This earlier incident was widely circulated in a viral video.

On May 22, 2024, Ebube was arraigned in the Nsukka Magistrate Court of Enugu State, where he was granted bail.

The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, condemned the assault, emphasizing that masqueraders hiding under the guise of cultural celebrations to commit criminal acts would face legal consequences. He reiterated that the Command would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found guilty of such offenses.

Ndukwe quoted the Commissioner saying “The (police) command will henceforth not hesitate to bring anyone found wanting to book, just as in the case at hand,”