Three arrested as masquerade disturbance rocks Akwa Ibom

Etim Ekpimah

Three men have been arrested after a suspected masquerade-related disturbance along Mbak Akpan Ekpenyong in Akwa Ibom State, with police recovering masquerade regalia from the scene.

The suspects – Uwakmfon Sunday; Edidiong Jackson, and Sunday Tom, were arrested after the state police command received a distress call at about 5.52 pm on August 31.

Police operatives were immediately deployed to the area, where they moved to contain the situation and prevent the disturbance from escalating.

The command said several other participants fled as soon as they sighted the police.

Masquerade regalia found in the possession of the three arrested men were recovered and taken away as exhibits, according to the police.

Although the command did not disclose what triggered the disturbance, it said the incident involved activities capable of threatening public peace.

The arrests have again drawn attention to the need for cultural and traditional activities to be conducted without violence, intimidation or other forms of unlawful behaviour.

Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, praised the officers for their swift response, saying prompt intervention was crucial to preventing the situation from worsening.

Azare warned that the police would not allow anyone to hide behind cultural practices to cause disorder or threaten the safety of residents.

He stressed, however, that the command recognised the importance of lawful cultural and traditional practices and would continue to work with community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure such activities were conducted peacefully.

The commissioner urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to alert the police whenever they notice activities capable of triggering violence or disrupting public order.

Police spokesman, DSP Timfon John, said the command would continue to respond to distress calls and intelligence reports concerning threats to lives, property and public peace.

The three suspects are expected to face further investigation as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the disturbance and determine whether other offences were committed.

The command did not disclose whether the suspects had been formally charged or whether additional arrests would follow.

It also appealed to residents with information about the incident to assist investigators.

The police said members of the public should remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, threats or breaches of the peace to the nearest police station or through established emergency channels.

The command maintained that legitimate cultural expression would be respected but warned that no tradition or cultural activity would be allowed to become a vehicle for violence, intimidation or disorder.