By Ayeotan Shola
The Nigerian Police Force Division, Nsukka has apprehended two criminals who paraded themselves as Masquerades to stage a nearly successful Robbery stunt.
They were arrested in Ovoko Community, Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, for allegedly beating up a passenger on a commercial motorcycle and robbing him of N57,000.
The incident happened on the Nsukka/Oballo-Afor highway.
A police source said policemen moved to the scene when the victim, Mr. Chinonso Ezewaji, reported the matter to Nsukka Police Area command and the two men were arrested.
“The escorts of the masquerade however ran away.
“There were eight masquerades. They blocked the Nsukka/Obollo-Afor road and harassed people.
“The two arrested masquerades however denied collecting the N57,000 from Ezewaji but claimed they know the person who collected the money from the victim.
“When we searched one of the arrested masquerade, we saw Indian hemp in his pocket,” the police source said.
When contacted, Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had commenced on the matter.
He urged communities to regulate and monitor those who wear masquerade costumes, adding that some of them used the opportunity to harass, intimidate and rob innocent members of the public.
“The Police are not against the people practising their tradition and culture but community leaders must know the character of people they allow to wear costumes of masquerade in the name of culture.
“A masquerade has no right to mount road block on busy highways where motorists, motorcyclists and other road users move on daily basis.
“The police have commenced investigation and will get to the root of this matter as issues of masquerade disturbing people have become a recurring decimal,” Amarizu said.
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