Masquerade Leaders Arrested For Alleged Extortion

Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a leader of a masquerade cultural group, Uwem Umana, and one other person for alleged involvement in a series of criminal activities, including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion.

Their arrest was disclosed in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Saturday.

John said the arrest followed a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld).

According to him, the masquerade group was accused of attacking citizens, blocking a public highway, and extorting money from members of the public passing through the route.

She said, “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 authorized 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.

She said the two suspects have been charged to court following a thorough investigation into the matter. She added that police will not tolerate acts of lawlessness, intimidation, or violence under any guise, including the unauthorized use of cultural paraphernalia to perpetrate crime.

“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammad Azare fsi, reassures the general public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining public safety and order,” she said