The Day The Spirits Had a Face-Off With The Nigerian Police At Ekwulobia (Photos)
The masquerade display is an integral part of Igbo culture, its one aspect of Igbo culture that Ndi Igbo still hold dearly. However, in recent times some unscrupulous elements have wreaked havoc on the populace under the guise of masquerading.
The traditional ruling council in Ekwulobia, under the leadership of HRH Engr. Chukwukadibia Onyeneke Emmanuel has previously placed a ban of masquerades being spotted anywhere within Ekwulobia, citing reasons of alleged criminal activities that have repeatedly been attributed to the masquerades.
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They were previously banned in April 2016, after much pressure from the Masquerade Lovers, the ban was lifted in 2018, only for the masquerade to be banned again.
However, Masquerade lovers in Ekwulobia are hearing none of that, so they and masquerades numbering more than 50, including the most popular Masquerade in Ekwuklobia known as Achukwu Ekwulobia, Last weekend thronged the central market for their ‘it Mmonwu” Display, not long after, the Nigerian Police in their vehicles stormed the market , this resulted in a heated face-off between the Masquerades and Nigerian Police .
Ever ready anaedonline.com was on ground to speak with the spectators present when this incident occurred so as to ascertain what really transpired.
Chuka Ikenna a hawker in the market said, that he was surprised to see the masquerade display that day because the Igwe had recently banned the masquerades from displaying in the community. He asserted that it was first banned in April 2016 and in 2018, the ban was lifted and thereafter placed again.
Another Indigene we spoke who didn’t appear impressed with the masurades was of the opinion that the masquerades have been constituting nuisance, therefore should be banned.
He said, “The masquerades have been committing all sorts of crimes in the town, a girl once accused Achukwu masquerade of raping her, the masquerades indulge in extortions, bullying, snatching of people’s mobile phone, disrupting of church activities and terrorizing innocent residents of the town.”
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Speaking Further, he said, “After several efforts made by the monarch to peacefully stop those heinous acts, they still continued. Perhaps that’s why he finally resorted to his decision of banning the practice. But you know the youths, especially the organizers and fans of masquerade, they have been proving stubborn.”
However, Ifeanyi Ezeakor, a fan of the masquerades had a different opinion, according to him, the traditional ruler has allowed his religious belief to affect his judgment in things that pertains to culture and traditions of the land.
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Speaking, he said, “Their Igwe is too religious and always want to make orders according to his own beliefs and principles without considering the will of the people. He banned masquerade activities in the community because of a mere conflict.”
“But that is against the will of the people, that is why the masquerade group had to come out to display now that he, the Igwe was outside the country. The Police landed to disrupt their activities but the masquerades paid no heed to the security personnel who were alleged to have been invited by the Igwe.”
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