Deadly Clash In Nsukka: Oriokpa Masquerades Linked To Fatal Incident

Deadly Clash In Nsukka: Oriokpa Masquerades Linked To Fatal Incident....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nsukka town in Enugu State has been on edge since Tuesday, following the deaths of two individuals linked to violent confrontations with the infamous Oriokpa masquerades. These incidents have reignited worries about the unchecked aggression often associated with these traditional performers…….CONTINUE READING 

On September 19, SaharaReporters reported that hundreds of women from Eha-Alumona, a community within Nsukka Local Government Area, took to the streets to protest ongoing attacks and harassment by masquerades. The women expressed their frustration, emphasizing that the masquerade performers seem to have forgotten their origins, as they are targeting their own mothers, sisters, and daughters.

The latest incidents occurred separately on Tuesday at Aku Road in Obechara and Nru Junction, just days after the women’s protests calling for government intervention. According to reports, a middle-aged woman tragically died after being struck by an oncoming truck while trying to escape an Oriokpa masquerade in the Aku Road area. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and unsettling for local residents.

At Nru Junction, a male student from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) also lost his life under ambiguous circumstances, causing widespread concern. The violent actions of the Oriokpa masquerades have long been a significant issue in the community. In April 2024, a disturbing viral video captured the brutal flogging of a nurse on her way to work by these same masquerades. The incident, which occurred on April 28 in Obechara, showed the woman being mercilessly beaten and thrown into a drainage ditch while pleading for mercy, provoking national outrage.

Despite widespread condemnation from human rights groups, women’s organizations, and concerned citizens, the violent behavior of the Oriokpa masquerades has persisted without consequences. Although the Enugu State Police Command has not released an official statement regarding the recent incidents, sources within the police indicate that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. Attempts to reach the Command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, for comments were unsuccessful.