ENHA poised to oversee activities of masquerades in Enugu

Enugu State House of Assembly has set up an ad-hoc committee to come with practical measures to regulate the activities of masquerades in the state.

This follows the abuse of a female nurse, Ms Blessing Ogbonna, by a group of masquerades in Alor-Uno in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

The setting up of the ad-hoc committee on Thursday in Enugu followed a motion to address the abuse of human rights, threat to life, and destruction of properties by masquerades in Nsukka West Constituency moved by Mr Malachy Onyechi.

Onyechi, representing Nsukka West constituency, noted that the menace of masquerade in his area was alarming, as many have either been injured or lost their lives in the process.

The lawmaker said that the recent abuse of Ogbonna had generated public condemnation and outcry from the people within and outside the state.

“Mr Speaker, my attention was brought to the case of a young nurse, Ms Blessing Ogbonna, who was assaulted by masquerades in Nsukka. The attack was vicious and left her hospitalised.

“I have reached out to her to assess the damage and offer my support. But this would not be the first time, as there abounds documentary evidence on violence by misguided masquerades and their followers.

“The seven masquerades were arrested and charged at a magistrate court in Nsukka for assault, extortion and blockade of federal road.

“This motion aims to harmonise practices, and rules of engagement in the practice of masquerade as part of cultural exhibition, entertainment or commercial purposes in a way that safeguard parties from abuse.

“This call for concern does not lose sight of situations where masquerade has been unjustly treated either by individuals, organised groups or security agencies.

“Therefore, this motion is not intended to witch-hunt anybody, or group but to harmonize systems and practices,’’ Onyechi said.

The lawmaker also condemned the act of blocking roads, thereby preventing workers like nurses on essential service from performing their duties.

Supporting the motion, Mr Pius Ezugwu, representing Nsukka East Constituency, revealed that the issue of masquerade had nearly caused  conflict between two communities in his constituency.

Ezugwu, who observed that the masquerades were practised by adherents of the African Traditional Religion (ATR), stressed that it was wrong for masquerades to abuse anybody, describing it as barbaric.

The lawmaker disclosed that he was threatened by the masquerade handlers not to contribute on anything pertaining to them in the House, adding that he was not afraid of their threat.

Also, Mr Harrison Ogara, while condemning the abuse, urged the House not to ban the activities of masquerades but should interface with the traditional rulers of the affected community.

Ogara pointed out that most of the masquerades perpetuating these crimes were cultists who hide under the veil to abuse their victims to avoid being detected or caught.

In his remark, the Speaker, Chief Uche Ugwu, urged the ad-hoc committee to do a diligent job and come up with a report that would put an end to the menace of masquerades in Enugu.

The Assembly thereafter adjourned its plenary to Tuesday, May 7.