Saturday November 1, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN, Security Evaluator
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Comman have arrested a leader of a masquerade cultural group, Uwem Umana and one other person for alleged involvement in series of criminal activities including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion.
The command Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Saturday, November 1, said the arrest followed a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld).
John said the masquerade group was accused of attacking citizens, blocking a public highway and extorting money from members of the public passing through the route.
She said, “According to the information from the distress call, the perpetrators, armed with sphere arrows, machetes, sticks, and other weapons, were also physically assaulting members of the public, including NYSC members.
“Investigation revealed that the leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade in the village, one Uwem Umanah ‘M’ aged 45 years, had authorized members of the group to wear masks and disguise themselves in masquerade costumes in public, despite an existing ban on such displays.
“Upon receipt of the information, Operatives of the Command immediately dispatched to the scene and arrested the alleged mastermind, Uwem Umanah.”
