Imo State Government Enforces Ban on Masquerade Activities in Ideato North LGA

In a bid to maintain peace and curb rising security concerns, the Imo State Government has issued a ban on all masquerade activities in Ideato North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The directive, outlined in a letter dated December 1, 2023, was sent by Eze Emmanuel Okeke, the chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, to Eze K.N. Kanu, the Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Traditional Council.

Eze Okeke, who also holds the position of chairman of the community policing council in the state, emphasized that the decision aims to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in the area.

The letter, titled ‘Security directive from the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Institution and Community Policing,’ states, “Considering the security situation in some parts of the state, the state government has directed that all forms of masquerade display in all communities in your LGA should be suspended forthwith till further notice.”

The directive further warned of serious sanctions from the state government for any traditional ruler or masquerade group in Ideato North LGA that disobeys the suspension order.

Eze Kanu, as the local council’s chairman, is entrusted with ensuring the compliance of traditional rulers and their subjects to this directive.

Ideato North LGA has experienced a surge in insecurity recently, marked by incidents such as the kidnapping and beheading of the then-sole administrator of the council, Hon Chris Ohizu, in January 2023.