Activities of traders, commercial tricycle operators and pedestrians at Orba World Bank International Market, Orba, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, were Thursday disrupted by Akatakpa masquerades.
NewsNGR reports that the disruption followed the cultural designation of today as a day meant for masquerade displays. The masquerades were seen occupying major roads, intimidating and forcing commercial vehicle operators and their passengers to give them some token before they were allowed to pass.
A keke rider, Joshua Ezeme, said he was not aware of the day until he had gotten to the market. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have come out,” he told our reporter. “These masquerades operate unrestricted. They can beat anybody who refuses to part with some money after encountering them. Sadly, there are no policemen on duty in and around the market to check their excesses. Immediately I saw them, I discharged my passengers and changed my route of operations for today.”
A tailor, Monica Ugwuanyi, said the masquerades did not hurt her, but she lost a lot as a result of their activities. “No okada rider agreed to convey me to my shop at Orba because of the activities of Akatakpa. The riders are afraid of extortions associated with these masquerades. The Keke rider that carried me from Eha-Alumona discharged us immediately he heard that today is Akatakpa Day at Orba. I walked for about one hour before getting to the market. When I got there, already my customer waiting to collect clothes for burial had gone. I had to improvise another means to send the clothes to him at Oturkpo, Benue State.”
Checks at the international market showed that many traders shunned opening today. “As you can see, many shops are shut because today is Akatakpa Day. Those of us that opened have seen no customer since morning. So it is all about losses. I doubt if such could happen in a sane society. Disruption of market activities by masquerades is uncivilised, but we can do nothing. I had expected to see policemen and other security agencies monitor what is happening. They are not here.”
Chinwe Ogbodo claimed that she was hurt by one of the masquerades. She said, “I rode around the front of the house of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. One of the masquerades accosted me. He said I should give him some money before I could pass. He also accused me of wearing trousers. I told him that I am married, and my husband allows me to wear trousers. He brought out his cane, and hit my pedals. The fear made me jump down from the bike. I sustained bruises, and my bike fell. These masquerades should be regulated. I have heard all kinds of things about them.”
The masquerades were seen wearing some tags with numbers. Ozioko Eze is a member of the task force monitoring them. He said, “The tags are to identify them in case they misbehave. We are preserving our culture, and we abide by the laws of the country. Each of the masquerades is registered, and given tags. If any of them causes any problem, he is arrested and handed over to the police. They are just playing. They don’t harm or hurt anyone. If you see any, tell me. We are on ground to arrest any erring one. Before, masquerades of other communities infiltrate our place during such displays. They would cause problems and disappear. With their compulsory registration, all of them can be identified if the need be.”
