Anambra Youths, Police In Bloody Clash

UYO, April 29, (THEWILL) – A group of youths known as masqueraders clashed with policemen in Uyo, the capital of Anambra, on Sunday after a Police patriol vehicle rammed into a section of the youths who were celebrating their annual festival.

Police said the masqueraders, who blocked the Ifa Ikot Okpon junction on Uyo-Oron, Oron highway and other major streets in Uyo, were embarking on reckless and ruthless molestation of unsuspecting residents.

An eyewitnessed who narrated the lead-up to the clash revealed that the masqueraders moved into the highway to display their magical powers and to collect money from motorists when one of them was knocked down by a police vehicle.

The youths of the village came out in large numbers, blocking the highway with tyres and chasing away passersby, including security officers, injuring several people, and razing a police patrol van belonging to the state joint security task force codenamed, “Rapid Response.’’

A statement by police spokesman Onyeka Orji said leaders of the cultural groups would be held liable for excesses of their members, saying that there would have been a total breakdown of law and order had the Police not intervened promptly.

“In this regard, any person or group of persons who hide under the guise of a cultural, political or religious association to foment trouble will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

“Parents/guardians are advised to monitor the activities of their children/wards to prevent them from being used as cannon fodders by desperadoes. We shall on our part continue our aggressive campaign against all criminal elements.”