By Chimdiogo Amuh 

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a masquerader accused of carrying out unprovoked attacks on residents during a festival in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area.

The arrest followed the circulation of viral videos showing the masquerader chasing and assaulting passers-by, disrupting a public event and throwing the community into panic.

AnchorNews gathered that the incident occurred over the weekend during the final Ofala Festival of the late traditional ruler of Awgbu, Igwe M. C. Okechukwu (Ezedioramma II, Ezekanunu III).

Video footage from the scene showed the masquerader rampaging through the area, forcefully pushing motorcycle riders to the ground, chasing people indiscriminately and destroying equipment, while some followers cheered him on. In one clip, an elderly man was pushed off a motorcycle, while another video reportedly showed an elderly victim falling from a moving motorcycle and hitting his head on a parked vehicle.

Supporters of the masquerader were also seen throwing potentially harmful objects, including plastic chairs, tables and sachet water, at attendees, further escalating the violence and endangering lives.

Confirming the arrest on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect is currently in custody and that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved.

“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform Ndi Anambra and the general public that the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens in Awgbu has been taken into custody,” Ikenga said.

He described the actions captured in the viral videos as unlawful and unacceptable, stressing that such conduct would not be tolerated under any guise. He added that all those linked to the incident would be brought to justice.

The development recalls a similar incident reported in February 2025, when the Anambra State Government declared a masquerader identified as “Nweke” wanted for allegedly killing a 71-year-old man, Shedrack Okoye, during a masquerade outing in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area.

At the time, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Don Onyenji, warned that such acts violate the Anambra State masquerading law enacted in 2022, which restricts masquerade displays to designated festival arenas and prohibits obstruction of movement, road blockages and violent conduct.

He emphasized that masquerading is a cultural practice meant for entertainment and celebration, not intimidation or violence.