Pandemonium as Police officers clash with masquerades

There was pandemonium yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, following a bloody clash between policemen and a group of youths, who paraded themselves as masqueraders.

According to a source, the incident occurred at Ifa Ikot Okpon junction on Uyo-Oron highway.
An eyewitness said a clash broke out between the two groups when a police patrol vehicle rammed into some masqueraders, who were celebrating their yearly festival.


The police described the masqueraders as a set of disgruntled youths, who blocked the Oron highway and other major streets in Uyo, while embarking on reckless and ruthless molestation of unsuspecting residents.

According to the source, the masqueraders moved into the highway to display their magical powers and to collect money from motorists when one of them was knocked down by a police vehicle.
Angered over the development, the youths of the village came out in large numbers, blocking the highway with tyres and chased away passersby, including security officers.

Several people were injured. A police patrol van belonging to the state joint security task force codenamed: “Rapid Response’’ stationed at the junction, was set ablaze.
A statement by police spokesman Onyeka Orji said leaders of the cultural groups would be held liable for excesses of their members.

Orji said it was the police’s prompt intervention that averted what could have been a total break down of law and order.

His words: “In this regard, any person or group of persons who hide under the guise of a cultural, political or religious association to foment trouble will be made to face the full weight of the law.

“Parents/guardians are advised to monitor the activities of their children/wards to prevent them from being used as cannon fodders by desperadoes. We shall on our part continue our aggressive campaign against all criminal elements.”