Monday, June 14, 2010

Don't use canes, weapons police warn masquerades

Olalekan Adetayo

Cane, a fear-instilling symbol of celebration among masquerades, will not be in use as the annual Egungun (masquerade) festival commences in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Also, the state police command has warned that sticks, guns and other weapons should not be used during masquerade procession.

The ban is aimed at ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order in any part of the city during the festival.

The command's spokesman, Ms. Olabisi Okuwobi, said this in a statement made available to PUNCH MERTO on Sunday.

Okuwobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, warned masquerades to be orderly and eschew any form of violence during and after the festival.

She warned that the command would not fold its arms while the security of the state was being threatened by masquerades who might be tempted to carry weapons, saying such action would not be tolerated.

The police, however, urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures had been put in place to protect them.

The police further warned that any act inimical to public peace would be resisted and dealt with, adding that the belief in some quarters that masquerades were ethereal being would not deter the police from arresting errant masquerades who breached public peace.

In the same vein, it warned members of other religious beliefs, especially Muslims and Christians to desist from acts capable of disrupting the masquerade festivity as every Nigerian had the right to their religious belief.