Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Deputy Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Obiajulu Ugwu, has condemned the assault on a female nurse, Ms. Blessing Ogbonna, by a group of masquerades in Alor-Uno in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.
Ugwu said the abuse meted on the young nurse was dehumanising, and ought to be condemned by all well meaning people in the state.
The lawmaker said this while contributing to a motion of urgent importance moved by the lawmaker representing Nsukka West Constituency, Hon. Malachy Onyechi.
She noted that some traditions forbid women and girls from seeing masquerades, but, acknowledged that such tradition didn’t authorise masquerades to assault any woman or girl.
Ugwu called on the state government to regulate the activities of masquerades.
She warned persons assaulting others under the guise of a tradition to refrain from it.
She expressed satisfaction that the seven persons, who assaulted Ogbonna have been arrested and charged to a magistrate court, saying it would serve as a deterrent to others.
The deputy chief whip asked communities to always announce their festivals, especially if masquerades would come, to avoid catching strangers and passers-by unawares.
Meanwhile, the assembly has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the incident and recommend measures to regulate activities of Masquerades in the state.
