By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

The police command in Enugu State has detained three masqueraders in Nsukka area of the state for allegedly assaulting law-abiding citizens.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe said, in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday, that police operatives with the assistance of members of the community led to the arrest of the suspects on June 23, at 3:30 p.m.

He said that the arrest of the suspects was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the Oriokpa Masquerade group on June 22 as seen in a viral video.

“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the Oriokpa Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.

“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.

“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.

“However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.

The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.

Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.

He said that the state police chief, however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.

Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the Oriokpa masqueraders.

“The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added. (NAN)