Masquerades Are Terrorists, Cultists, Catholic Bishop Says
Bishop Godfrey Onah of Nsukka Catholic Diocese[/caption]
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah, has described masquerades in Nigeria as terrorists and cultist who should be severely dealt with by security agents.
Onah made this known during Sunday church service at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nsukka after some masqueraders beat a seminarian into coma.
March 29 a seminarian serving in Nsukka diocese, Lawrence Ezeugwu, was beaten into coma by a group of masqueraders who blocked the road at Ugwuoyia, Nsukka.
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The masqueraders were part of the Oriokpa masquerade popular in eastern Nigeria.
The former Roman based professor, who was reacting to the ugly incident called on the law enforcement agencies to treat masquerades that block roads, beat and extort money from people as terrorists.
“It’s unfortunate that in this 21st century some youths in Nsukka area will cover their face and block roads, beating and extorting money from people who are going about their legitimate businesses in the name of masquerading,” he said.
“The security agents should treat these criminals who hide under the guise of masquerade as a culture to harass and harm law-abiding citizens as terrorists and cultists.
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“This is a sacrilege and abomination and the church will ensure that all those involved are brought to book as well as fight to put this evil culture to an end.
“As bishop of the diocese I am ready to lay down my life in fighting to stop this inhumanity to man by masqueraders in Nsukka who block roads and intimidate innocent residents.”
The Bishop described the Oriokpa masquerade in Nsukka as a cult and a form of idol worship and vowed to deal decisively with any catholic members caught in masquerading.
“The Nsukka Oriokpa masquerade is evil cult and a form of idol worship, anybody engaging in it is worshiping idol,” he said.
The Enugu state Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaizu, confirmed the incident and said one of the masqueraders was arrested and currently in police custody.
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“The police in Nsukka have arrested one of the masqueraders that beat and gave a knife cut to a Catholic seminarian on Wednesday.
“Investigation and efforts are being intensified to ensure that all those involved in that unfortunate incident are arrested and charged to court,” he said.
