The Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of a popular Anambra masquerade from Awgbu community in Orumba North Local Government Area, over incidents of unprovoked violent attacks on residents during a burial event last week.
There has been serious public outrage over the outing of the masquerade identified as ‘Agaba’, famed to be a violent one, and only appears after 6pm, when ceremonies are already over, because of its destructive tendencies.
Across Igbo land, the Agaba masquerade is always accompanied by a very strong male attendant, who ties a leash around its waist, with which it restrains it from destroying properties and putting lives at risk.
Multiple videos circulating online showed how the masquerade unleashed violence both on passersby, indigenes and even celebrants.
In one of the video, the masquerade jumped on the podium at an event and started destroying public address systems owned by the master of ceremony who has been identified as Onowu, an indigene.
In another video, the masquerade chased other smaller masquerades in the community who seemed to know its strength, and ran as far as their legs could carry them.
In yet two others, the masquerade pushed down two men who were riding peacefully on their motorcycles. One of them and old man, and the other a young man hit his head in a parked car and many suspect that he sustained a fatal injury.
There was also another video where the masquerade blocked a vehicle carrying a sick person, and a bike rider was seen informing him of the critical condition of the person, yet he beat up the cyclist.
The incidents captured on video has raised public concerns with many condemning the actions of the masquerade.
An Anambra citizen, J.J Agada called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ban the masquerade, sanction the man behind it and also the masquerade attendants, who joined the masquerade in beating up the man who resisted it.
Many called on the leadership of Awgbu community to tame the masquerade and clip its wings as the state has outgrown such mundane practices.
It was however, not clear yet what Awgbu community did to tame the masquerade since Monday when the event happened.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Wednesday, the Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that the masquerade has been taken into custody over its actions that led to a breach of public peace.
“The Command notes that the behaviour of the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, is totally unacceptable, 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,” he said.
