In a bid to avert further clashes and threats to lives and property, 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 in the area.
The ban, the foremost traditional ruler said, was informed by the clashes among the devotees of the masquerade festival, a situation he added had threatened the security of lives and property, thus giving rise to insecurity in the community.
Oba Saiki, who made the announcement after a meeting of the community traditional council and security agencies held at his palace in Igarra, disclosed that the suspension would become effective from February 15, 2025.
According to the Igarra monarch, the festival had resulted in a serious crisis as groups of masquerades and their followers clashed, leaving many injured and property worth millions of Naira destroyed in the community.
He lamented that the festival, which is an annual event, had degenerated into a crisis, thereby causing insecurity in the community.
“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 about 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 26th, 28th and 29th of January, there was a crisis and serious fights between two groups of masquerades and their followers, which resulted in a 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 the 15th of February until further notice,” the Otaru pronounced.
The traditional ruler directed security agencies to arrest any group of people celebrating the festival either day or night.
He disclosed that the Opoze Age Group had 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 was in order and was supported by the Igarra Traditional Council.
Oduwa said 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 Officer of Igarra Division, Igarra Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies.
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