Police Arrest Anambra Masquerader Over Alleged Assault on Residents

…such actions violated the Anambra State masquerading law enacted in 2022,
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Anambra State Police Command has taken into custody a masquerader accused of carrying out unprovoked violent attacks on residents during a festival in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
The arrest came after video clips went viral on social media, showing the masquerader chasing and assaulting passers-by, disrupting the event and causing widespread panic in the community.
It was gathered on Wednesday that the incident occurred over the weekend during the final Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu, Igwe M. C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III).
Videos from the scene captured the masquerader going on a violent spree, forcefully pushing motorcyclists off their bikes, chasing people indiscriminately and vandalising equipment, while supporters cheered him on.
In one clip reviewed by iNews Times, the masquerader was seen shoving an elderly man off a motorcycle, while another video showed an accident in which an elderly man reportedly fell from a moving motorcycle and struck his head against a parked vehicle.
The footage also showed the masquerader’s supporters hurling dangerous objects, including plastic chairs, tables and sachet water, at attendees, further escalating the violence and putting lives at risk.
Confirming the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect had been apprehended and that investigations were ongoing to track down other individuals involved.
Ikenga stated that the Police had taken into custody the masquerader responsible for the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens, which led to a breakdown of public order in Awgbu. He stressed that the conduct displayed in the viral videos was unlawful and would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He added that the suspect remains in police custody while investigations continue to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
Recall that it was reported in February 2025 that the Anambra State Government had declared a masquerader known as “Nweke” wanted over the alleged killing of a 71-year-old man, Shedrack Okoye, during a masquerade outing in Umuawulu community, Awka South Local Government Area.
At the time, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Don Onyenji, said such actions violated the Anambra State masquerading law enacted in 2022, which restricts masquerade displays to designated arenas during festivals.
He emphasised that masquerades must not obstruct movement, block roads or cause public disturbances, noting that masquerading as a cultural practice is meant for entertainment, not violence.