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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a leader of a masquerade cultural group commonly called ”Ekpo” Uwem Umanah over alleged criminal activities, including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion in the state.
A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Saturday said the suspect was arrested after a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld), which revealed that the masquerade cultural group was attacking citizens, blocking a public highway, and extorting money from members of the public.
The statement reads in part, ”The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two individuals, including the leader of a masquerade cultural group, for a series of criminal activities, including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion.
”The arrest followed a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld) reporting the illegal display of a masquerade cultural group that was attacking citizens, blocking a public highway, and extorting money from members of the public passing through the route.
“According to the information from the distress call, the perpetrators, armed with sphere arrows, machetes, sticks, and other weapons, were also physically assaulting members of the public, including NYSC members.
”Investigation revealed that the leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade in the village, one Uwem Umanah ‘M’, aged 45 years, had authorised members of the group to wear masks and disguise themselves in masquerade costumes in public, despite an existing ban on such displays.
”Upon receipt of the information, Operatives of the Command immediately dispatched to the scene and arrested the alleged mastermind, Uwem Umanah.”
In a related development, one David Michael ‘M’ aged 34 years of Ikot Obong Edong Village, was arrested at Ukana Onuk Village while in possession of complete masquerade costumes, preparing to invade the area.
The two suspects have been charged in court following a thorough investigation into the matter
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, has reassured the general public of the command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining public safety and order.
The police will not tolerate acts of lawlessness, intimidation, or violence under any guise, including the unauthorised use of cultural paraphernalia to perpetrate crime.
Members of the public are urged to continue to provide timely and useful information to the police to prevent crime and ensure that all communities remain safe and secure for lawful activities.
