The Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday announced the arrest of three people in connection with masquerade attacks on innocent residents of the University town of Nsukka in Nsukka Local Government Area.
A viral video on Monday shows that the Oriokpa Masquerade assaulted some residents, leading to some people sustaining serious injuries.
But in a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe, said that the Police operatives attached to the Nsukka Urban Division, in synergy with law-abiding members of the community, on June 23, 2025, at about 3:30pm, arrested three male suspects in connection with the physical assault of members of the public by the Oriokpa Masquerade group on June 22, 2025, in Nsukka, as seen in a viral video.
According to the statement, 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.
“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,” Ndukwe explained.
He said that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, has directed a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice is served.
The statement quoted the commissioner to have emphasised that masquerade celebrations are a sacred and symbolic aspect of our culture but decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.
“Consequently, CP Giwa has warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the Oriokpa masqueraders, assuring the public that all those involved will be brought to justice,” it concluded.
