The Otaru of Igarra and Akuku clan in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State, Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II on Tuesday announced the suspension of the Ekuechi masquerade festival following incessant violent clashes.
Oba Saiki gave the directive after a meeting between the traditional council and security agencies at his palace in Igarra, saying the suspension is effective from February 15th.
The monarch said the festival has resulted in serious crises as masquerade and their followers clashed, leaving many injured and properties destroyed in the community.
He noted that the violence associated the annual festival had snowballed into crises and thereby causing insecurity in the community.
He said, “I am here to announce to you the suspension of the Ekuechi masquerade festival until further notice.
“I decided to invite the security agencies to intimate them of what happened during the celebration of this year’s Ekuechi festival.
“It would be recalled that annually, we do celebrate the Ekuechi festival as part of our tradition and culture in Igarra.
“What happened this year again on the Jan 26th, 28th and 29th of January, there was a crisis and serious fighting between two groups of masquerades and their followers which resulted in series of injuries and destruction of properties.
“By the authority conferred on me and as the Clan head of Igarra, I hereby suspend masquerades from coming out day or night effective from 15th of February till further notice,” he said.
The traditional ruler also urged the security agencies to arrest any group of people celebrating the festival either day or night; charging them to enforce the order by arresting any person flouting the law.
He further disclosed that the Opoze age group has been directed to assist the law enforcement agencies in monitoring and arresting any masquerade group flouting the order.
The Oshemdase of Igarra, High Chief Onimisi Oduwa said the suspension of the festival is in order and supported by the Igarra Traditional Council.
Oduwa maintained that the idea to suspend the masquerade was to maintain peace in the community.
“Ekuechi festival is our culture that is celebrated every year, but due to rising insecurity in the community, the Otaru and the traditional council decided to suspend the festival for peace in the community,” Oduwa said.
In attendance at the meeting were the Divisional Police Office of Igarra Division, Igarra Area Commands of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), and Department of State Services (DSS), among others.
