The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has begun prosecution of a masquerade and the leader of a masquerade cultural group over alleged assault, highway blockade, and extortion carried out under the guise of cultural display.
Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this yesterday, said the suspects were arrested after a distress call alerted operatives to the activities of the group, which allegedly attacked residents and extorted motorists on a public highway.
She said investigations showed that the leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade group, one Uwem Umanah, 45, had authorized his members to parade the streets in defiance of an existing ban on masquerade displays in the area.
“The masquerade group armed themselves with spears, machetes, sticks, and other weapons and were assaulting members of the public, including NYSC members,” DSP John said.
“Following a distress call, operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene, where the group leader, Uwem Umanah, was arrested.”
In a related incident, another suspect, David Michael, 34, of Ikot Obong Edong village, was also apprehended at Ukana Onuk village while allegedly preparing to launch a similar masquerade display.
Both suspects, according to the police, have been charged to court after investigations confirmed their involvement in the acts.
The Command warned that it would not tolerate any form of lawlessness, intimidation, or violence carried out under the guise of culture or tradition.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has ordered the proscription of a coalition of civil society organisations operating under the name Akwa Ibom Civil Society Forum.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the CP gave the directive during a meeting with leaders of various civil society groups on October 30 at the Command Headquarters, Uyo.
Azare described the use of the name Akwa Ibom Civil Society Forum as misleading, saying it created a false impression of being the umbrella body for all civil society organisations in the state.
He therefore ordered all groups using the name to desist from doing so with immediate effect, urging them to operate strictly within the limits of the law and avoid acts capable of breaching public peace.
The meeting was attended by several CSO leaders, including the Executive Director of Policy Alert, Tijah Bolton-Akpan, and the Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, Franklyn Isong.