To forestall any breakdown of law and order, the Imo State government has ordered the ban of all masquerade activities in Ideato North local government area till further notice.
This is contained in a letter signed by the chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke and addressed to the chairman of Ideato North Local Government Traditional Council, Eze K.N. Kanu dated December 1, 2023.
According to Okeke who doubles as the chairman of community policing in Imo State, the move was as a result of insecurity in some parts of the state.
The letter titled: “Security directive from the chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Institution and Community Policing” reads, “Considering the security situation in some parts of the state, the state government has directed that all forms of masquerade display in all communities in your LGA should be suspended forthwith till further notice.
“Furthermore, any traditional ruler, or masquerade group in Ideato North LGA that disobeys this directive will face serious sanctions from the state government.”
The letter charged Eze Kanu to ensure that all traditional rulers in Ideato North local government area ensured compliance of their subjects saying “Endeavour to make sure every traditional ruler in your local government complies with this directive.”
Ideato North local government area had in the past months come under insurgency attacks coupled with the kidnap and beheading of the then sole administrator of the council, Hon Chris Ohizu in January 2023 even as the police were yet to nab the perpetrators. The council boasts of rich cultural heritage and masquerade displays.
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