The Akwa Ibom Police Command has said masquerades who wish to display in the state must seek clearance from the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, in a post on X, said failure to comply with the directive will be treated as a crime.

She said, "To ALL Masqueraders: If you want to do a display, you MUST seek clearance from the Police and restrict it to your village square. Prowling the streets of Akwa Ibom as a masquerade is a crime and the police won’t hesitate to arrest and prosecute defaulters. Please, let’s all be guided."

She also revealed that a masquerade was arrested on Tuesday for disrupting public peace, adding that a man identified as David was uncovered as the man behind the costume.

"Yesterday, a masquerade was arrested for disrupting public peace. One David was unveiled as the human being inside the Ekpo Masquerade paraphernalia. He will have his day in court. The ban on public activities of masquerades is still in force and the police is out to enforce it to the fullest," the police spokesperson said.

The enforcement by the police command followed an Executive Order signed by Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, banning masquerade activities on the streets and highways of the state.

Eno said, "This decision was necessary to protect our people from the harassment, violence, and public disorder these activities have recently caused.

"I fully respect our culture, but no cultural practice should endanger lives or disrupt public peace. If anyone wishes to display masquerades, it must be confined to village squares—not our streets, not our communities.

"As we welcome thousands of visitors this Christmas season, we must show that Akwa Ibom is peaceful, orderly, and safe. I have directed security agencies to enforce this order across all 31 LGAs.

"We will continue to promote our rich culture and tourism, but never at the expense of public safety or human dignity."


ASA