Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has signed an Executive Order prohibiting masquerade displays on public streets and major highways across the state, citing increasing reports of harassment, extortion, and public disorder linked to such activities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the governor reaffirmed the ban—which he first announced last week—while formally signing the order at Government House, Uyo, on Tuesday. He instructed the Commissioner of Police and all security agencies to enforce strict compliance.
“By the authority of my office as governor, I am issuing an order that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted,” Eno said. “Masquerades have been used to create havoc in some local government areas. As chief security officer of the state, I direct all security agencies to stop these disturbances so people can have peace.”
While acknowledging the importance of cultural traditions, he stressed that no cultural practice should endanger lives or violate individual rights. Eno pointed to recent troubling incidents, including a case in which a young woman was stripped and flogged by masqueraders.
He noted that a 2022 law already mandates police approval for such displays and insisted that masquerade activities must now be confined to village squares.
“If you want to perform masquerade rituals, do so in your village square—not on the streets of Akwa Ibom,” he said. “Do not disrupt public peace and order.”
The governor urged residents to familiarise themselves with the Executive Order and warned against using culture as a cover for criminal behaviour. He added that maintaining public order is crucial as the state positions itself as a tourism hub, especially ahead of the festive season.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, praised the directive, calling it timely and essential. He confirmed that enforcement has begun, with instructions already issued to commanders across the state’s 31 local government areas to curb masquerade-related violence, intimidation, and obstruction.
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