The police in Enugu State have detained three masqueraders in the Nsukka area for allegedly assaulting residents.
Police spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that police operatives, with the assistance of members of the community, arrested the suspects at about 3:30pm on June 23.
According to him, the arrest was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the Oriokpa masquerade group on June 22, as seen in a viral video.
“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the Oriokpa Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.
“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.
“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene. However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.
SP Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice is served.
According to him, Commissioner of Police Giwa said masquerade celebration, which is a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture, was exploited to commit criminal acts by the suspects.