Masquerades Attack Catholic Seminarian With Weapons in Nsukka

Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Enugu State, Bishop Godfrey Onah, has condemned the beating of a seminarian by some masquerades in Nsukka area of the state.

Onah, during a church service at St. Theresa’s Cathedral in Nsukka on Sunday, said he is ready to lay down his life to bring an end to “man’s inhumanity to man by masquerades who block roads, harm people, rape young girls, extort money from road users and intimidate innocent residents with weapons in the name of culture.”

He called on law enforcement agencies to treat masquerades that block roads, beat, harm  and extort money from people as terrorists and cultists.

According to Onah, “It’s unfortunate that in this 21st century, some youths in Nsukka area would cover their faces, block  roads, beat and extort money from people who go about their legitimate businesses in the name of masquerades.

“On Wednesday, March 29, a seminarian serving in Nsukka diocese, Lawrence Ezugwu, while on his way to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Nsukka district office to pay electricity bill was beaten to a pulp by a group of masquerades that blocked Enugu road at Ugwuoye Nsukka.

“The seminarian has been in the hospital since Wednesday when the incident happened.

“This is a sacrilege and an abomination. The church will ensure that all those involved are brought to book as well as fight to bring this evil culture to an end.

“As bishop of this diocese, I am ready to lay down my life to stop this man’s inhumanity to man by masquerades who block roads, harm people, rape young girls, extort money from road users and intimidate innocent residents with weapons in the name of culture.

“The Nsukka Oriokpa masquerade is an evil cult. Anybody engaging in it is worshipping idol.”