Akwa Ibom Governor Eno Bans Street Masquerades with New Executive Order

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed an Executive Order prohibiting masquerade displays on major roads, highways and streets across the state.

The directive, according to the governor, follows growing reports of harassment, extortion and violent conduct associated with masquerade groups in several communities.

A statement issued on Wednesday noted that the governor reaffirmed the ban while signing the order at Government House, Uyo, on Tuesday. Eno had earlier announced the proscription last week.

The governor, who decried the rising disturbances, ordered the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to enforce full compliance.

“By my office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I am issuing an order that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted. They have used it to cause havoc in some local governments,” Eno declared.

“As the chief security officer of the State, I am directing the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute masquerades. Let it stop terrorising people, and let people have peace.”

While acknowledging the state’s rich cultural heritage, the governor insisted that no tradition must infringe on citizens’ rights or endanger public safety.

“All of us are living witnesses to the embarrassment and nuisance that this has caused. If you have driven along the highways, you would have seen how they operate. It could cause accidents, and sometimes it brings cars to an abrupt halt,” he said.

Eno recalled a recent incident in which a young woman was allegedly assaulted by masquerade members.

“Last two weeks, we had a scene where a young woman was literally stripped naked and flogged by these masquerades. Yes, it is culture, but everyone has a right. No culture should dominate the other or cause harm to others.”

The governor noted that the state already has a 2022 law requiring police approval for such activities. He said practitioners must now confine any masquerade displays to village squares.

“So if you want to play masquerade, go to your village square and play it, but not on the streets of Akwa Ibom,” he warned.

“Don’t use that to disrupt public peace and order. We don’t want to have trouble in our hands.”

The governor urged residents and community leaders to familiarise themselves with the new order, stressing that the state cannot afford disruptions as it prepares for an expected increase in visitors during the festive season.

“We have visitors coming as we are trying to make our State a tourist destination. Let’s not scare people. Don’t make them feel that chaos is tolerated. It is on the strength of that that we sign this to bring public peace and order,” Eno said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, praised the governor for what he described as a timely directive.

He said the order provides security agencies the authority needed to address masquerade-related violence, intimidation and obstruction across the 31 local government areas.

Azare assured that enforcement had already begun, noting that operational instructions had been dispatched to area commanders and tactical units to ensure statewide compliance.