- It was learned that no few than 100 locals were hospitalised following the incident
- The Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Etiti Police Division, Chinedu Okike, and other residents of Aku sustained gunshot injuries during the chaos
At least one person has been reportedly killed in a bloody clash involving masquerade and worshippers in Enugu state.
The incident happened at Nua community in Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the South East State.
The young man killed during the melee is identified as ‘Cross,’ from in Amankpo Umu-Ezike, Aku.
The spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident.
He disclosed that one male suspect has been arrested in connection with the clash, adding that peace has returned to the community.
According to an eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, the clash occured at Elu-Orie Nua Aku around 4p.m., on Monday.
In his words “The fight started when Odo masquerade worshippers in their numbers accompanied one Odo masquerade called Ugwuishihe to Elu-Orie Nua as tradition demands for final visitation before departing to the spirit world on August 31, 2023.
“As the Odo masquerade with her worshippers got to Elu-Orie Nua, some boys from Nua in their numbers started stoning them from all angles. As the worshippers advanced, the boys, who were suspected to be from Nua, started shooting at them. In the process, the DPO of Ogbede Police Division was shot alongside other people.
“Most people started running for their lives as the DPO got shot and the men of Nigeria Police Force, who were on ground with the DPO to ensure a peaceful passage of the Odo masquerade in all the villages had to use tear gas to repel the shooters.
“The two police van they came with were damaged by Nua boys, when they were throwing stones at the police people.”
The source also said that one Mr. Kenneth allegedly among those shooting at the worshippers was later apprehended by the police and those shot taken to hospitals.
However, when newsmen visited Attah Memorial Hospital, where one of the victims was taken to, Cross was seen lying on hospital bed with gunshots injuries, including the one that damaged his manhood while piercing through his thigh.
The DPO who was injured, said: “We only went to Aku to ensure there was peace and order as Odo masquerade and her worshippers visit different villages today. “
We passed through Obie village unhindered only for Nua people to come out and started attacking us.
“I was injured and our vehicles were damaged. Our duty was to ensure that there peace in all communities but the enemies of Police came out to attack us,” he explained.
It was gathered that trouble began when two factional masquerade groups started laying claims as to the authentic group, whose date should be generally accepted as the only day when the Odo Masquerade should return to the spirit world after the annual festival.
While a group at Nua village Aku had claimed to have paraded and sent the Odo Ugwuishihe Masquerade to the spirit world on August 7, those of Aku had ignored them, insisting that it was on August 31, that the masquerade should have its final journey