Authorities in Ebonyi State have arrested six masquerades accused of assaulting people and violating a ban on their activities in the Okwor Ngbo market, located in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Community leaders had previously warned against the use of masquerades to harass market women and extort money.
The arrests follow the efforts of the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Onah Chinedu Ogba, who led the initiative to ban masquerades in market areas. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Joshua Ebenyi, Ogba clarified that he is not against masquerade displays but emphasized that such activities should be confined to village squares and playgrounds.
The statement read: “Rt Hon Onah Chinedu Ogba, Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State and a prominent son of Abarigwe Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, has expressed his concerns about the constant parading of masquerades in Okwo Market and major roads of Ngboejeogu. He described it as a disruption to successful trading in the market. We are not against cultural displays, but Okwo market is meant for the exchange of goods and services. It hosts people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and masquerading causes unnecessary tension and disruptions, often leading to injuries.”
Ogba further stated that any masquerade found in the prohibited areas would face legal consequences. He highlighted that such activities have been exploited by hoodlums to engage in cultic violence and intimidate people, which goes against the original cultural intentions.
Additionally, Ogba called on native doctors to move their practices and enchantments away from Okwo market. “All native doctors are advised to relocate their activities from Okwo market to designated areas, as anyone caught will face severe repercussions,” the statement concluded.