Outrage as Oriokpa Nsukka masquerade cuts road user’s leg with matchet
Reporter: Linda Okoye
Two years after Oriokpa Nsukka masquerade attacked and wounded a female nurse on duty, an unidentified young man is now nursing a life-threatening injury after an encounter with the same masquerades.
Reports says the incidents, which occurred in Nru town, Nsukka are currently generating angry reactions across social media platforms, with many demanding tough action against the perpetrators.
A trending video shows the moment a masquerade rushed towards the victim and gave him a heavy matchet cut, attracting tears from bystanders.
An eye witness said the victim was earlier beaten to a stupour by other masquerades, before another one rushed and cut his leg where he had fallen helplessly.
According to the eye witness, a large number of masquerades were seen flogging many road users mercilessly.
“The report on my table says they cut him on the leg and injured with a cutlass.
“I’m charging the coordinators of Oriokpa Nru to immediately swing into action and bring the perpetrators to book.
“This is totally unacceptable. I Lack Words.”
Another eye witness, Lavida Stanley disclosed that there was another incident where the victim has been moved to Enugu owing to the severity of the injury.
“Omo it wasn’t funny oooo because I was with the guy and I escaped by the grace of God.
“I have been hearing about the oriokpa but I never expected such a thing because we already gave them 3k earlier before the incident and told them we are going where one of our guy is opening his shop only for us to get there and they didn’t even ask us for money and started beating everyone.
“They are still with our bike and the injured guy was rushed to Enugu after the Faith Foundation Hospital doctor told us they can’t handle the case,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders have expressed deep concern over certain cultural festivals that have increasingly become a source of security threats to the public.
They noted that while culture should be celebrated and enjoyed peacefully, the violence associated with these events undermines their purpose and offers no tangible benefit to the welfare of the people.
According to the stakeholders, any event that endangers lives and property is contrary to the law and must be addressed accordingly.
“I strongly hold accountable those sponsoring and organizing such events where violence occurs.”
“I do not support violence in any form , it is barbaric and has no place in our society. Activities that pose harm to the public should either be strictly regulated to ensure safety, or scrapped entirely if peace cannot be guaranteed.”
“I advocate for peace, order, and the protection of lives above all.”
They appealed to the Enugu State Government to effect an immediate prohibition on Oriokpa, Akatakpa and other associated masquerades in Nsukka zone, in light of their persistent disruption of public order, safety, and economic activities in Nsukka zone.
” His Excellency Sir, recall that this has persisted for years as many people had been victims of the barbaric acts of their evil in Nsukka zone.”
It could be recalled that the House of Assembly established an ad-hoc committee to regulate or potentially ban the activities of masquerades, such as the Oriokpa group in Nsukka, following acts of violence.
