Akwa Ibom Police Command has threatened to arrest and prosecute any masquerade that violate its ban order imposed recently across the state.
Spokesperson of the police command in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said the ban became necessary following violent and lawless actions of masquerades leading to murders, threats to lives, assaults and other breaches to fundamental rights.
The statement said, “A case in point is the `EKONG’ in Mbak Ikot Abasi and Mbak Ikot Idiongo Villages in Mbak Etoi in Etoi Clan, Uyo.”
Police also outlawed a curfew imposed masquerades on the communities to take effect from dusk to dawn on Aug. 20, 22, 27 and 29.
The curfew infringed on the fundamental rights of the people to move freely and to associate, Macdon stated.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi as warning that anyone who flouted the ban would face the wrath of the law.
Macdon advised law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation as the police would spare no efforts at ensuring their safety.
