The three male suspects earlier arrested for their involvement in the assault and infliction of bodily harm on members of the public under the guise of celebrating the Oriokpa Nsukka Masquerade have been arraigned and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre.
NATIONAL POST recalls that outrage had greeted the activities of the masquerades after a viral video showed them unleashing mayhem on road users.
Three of them were later arrested and identified as Emeka Eze (aged 33), Omeke Uchechukwu (aged 22), and Malachi Michael Nnaemeka (aged 30).
They were arraigned before the Nsukka Magistrate Court of Enugu State on three principal charges of conspiracy, demanding money with menaces, and causing grievous harm.
The case was adjourned to July 31, 2025, for further hearing.
Recall that the male victim captured in the viral video of the incident, which occurred on June 22, 2025, along Aku Road in Nsukka, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from the masqueraders’ attack. Subsequently, the three suspects were identified and arrested with the assistance of law-abiding members of the community, while others fled.
According to the spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, SD Daniel Ndukwee, the Commissioner of Police has ordered intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the masquerade group who are currently at large.
He also urged community leaders across Enugu State to caution their subjects against committing crimes under the guise of masquerade or other cultural celebrations.
It could be recalled that the masquerades have continued to cause trouble in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, town, leading to their ban last year.
However, with the lifting of the ban, they have continued their attacks on innocent road users.