In response to a recent violent attack on a female nurse, masquerade activities have been suspended indefinitely in the nine communities comprising Nsukka town, Enugu State.
The assault occurred last Sunday when a nurse en route to her duty call was viciously beaten by a group of masquerades at the University of Nigeria town of Nsukka, sparking widespread condemnation.
A reliable source informed DAILY POST that stakeholders from the area convened a meeting, which included representatives from the Nsukka Town Federated Union, Oha Nsukka, Akpuruaru Nsukka, Igwes, PGs of the nine autonomous communities, and the youth.
At the meeting, it was unanimously agreed to suspend masquerade operations indefinitely until further notice. The decision was made to allow the Council of Elders to conclude their investigation into the assault on the nurse, Miss Blessing Ogbonna, and formulate new guidelines for masquerade activities.
A resolution was passed stating, “Oriokpa Masquerade operation has been suspended until further notice. All security agencies are hereby requested to help the Town enforce this decision, while further developments will be duly communicated.”
The swift action taken by the Nsukka Town Federated Union and the Council of Elders to address the incident has been praised by the Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative, a non-governmental organization.
In a statement issued by the group, they commended the commitment of the Council of Elders to ensure the safety and well-being of the Nsukka community members. They also expressed support for the decision to suspend masquerade activities and urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the Council of Elders in establishing new guidelines for their operation.
