Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Tuesday signed an Executive Order banning the activities of masquerades on streets and highways across the state.

The development was contained in a statement obtained from the Government House media platform on Wednesday.

The governor last week announced the proscription of masquerade displays, citing instances where masqueraders terrorised people, extorted money, and endangered citizens.

“By my office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I am issuing an order. Anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted.

“They have used it to cause havoc in some local governments. 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,” Eno stated.

While signing the order at the Government House, Uyo, Eno acknowledged his respect for the culture and tradition of the people, but said the decision was necessary to curb insecurity, chaos, and public nuisance perpetrated by masquerades, and to restore dignity and order in society.

“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; sometimes it brings cars to an abrupt halt.

“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.

“Even the law in 2022, as referred to by the State Attorney General, provides that if you must do that, you must seek clearance from the police. So if you want to play masquerade, go to your village square and play it, but not on the streets of Akwa Ibom.

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

Eno urged residents to understand the law and warned against taking matters into their own hands by disrupting public order under the guise of a masquerade.

“I am not saying don’t play masquerade, but don’t use masquerade to disturb public peace. Restrict it to your village square,” he cautioned.

He further encouraged the citizenry to engage in activities that promote the state’s tourism potential and cultural heritage, aligning with the ARISE Agenda.

“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,” he stated.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, praised the governor for signing the Executive Order, describing it as decisive and timely.

He noted that masquerade activities had increasingly threatened public peace, led to violence, and obstructed lawful activities in several communities.

Azare added that the order provided clear legal backing for security agencies to enforce compliance, as he assured the governor that operational directives had been issued to area and tactical commanders to ensure full enforcement across all 31 local government areas of the state. (The PUNCH)