In response to the recent brutal assault on a female nurse by a group of masquerades, authorities in Nsukka town, Enugu State, have taken decisive action by suspending all masquerade activities indefinitely across the nine communities comprising Nsukka.

The attack, which occurred as the nurse, Miss Blessing Ogbonna, was en route to her duty call at the University of Nigeria town of Nsukka, sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from the public.

According to reports, the masquerades flogged the nurse who was dressed in her official attire until she fell down from a motorcycle and while she tried to get up and run, the masquerades in their numbers continued beating her till she fell into a drainage.

A meeting convened by the Nsukka Town Federated Union, attended by key stakeholders including traditional leaders, community heads, and youth representatives, unanimously agreed to suspend all operations of the Oriokpa Masquerade until further notice.

According to Daily Post, the decision was reached to allow the Council of Elders sufficient time to investigate the assault on Nurse Blessing Ogbonna and devise appropriate measures regarding masquerade activities.

“All security agencies are hereby requested to help the Town enforce this decision, while further developments will be duly communicated.”

In response to the decision, the Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative expressed support for the actions taken by local authorities.

In a statement signed by Prince Chibeze Onah, Convener, and Agu Chineme, Head of Admin, the group commended the Council of Elders for their swift response and commitment to ensuring the well-being of Nsukka community members.

It reads, “ We commend the Council of Elders for their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Nsukka community members and support the resolution to suspend the Oriokpa masquerade operation until further notice.

“We urge all stakeholders to respect this suspension and cooperate with the Council of Elders as they work to establish new modalities for the Oriokpa masquerade operation.

“Let us continue to work together for the progress and development of the Nsukka community.”

A Professor of English and literary studies in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Damina Opata, described the development as disturbing.

Opata reiterated that “The current Oriokpa phenomenon is a very disturbing trend. Oriokpa has not always been like that. It has become a threat to peace and security. But it can still be restored, to a very large extent, to what it used to be.”