Catholic Church has declared war against
masqueraders after beat a seminarian was beaten into coma by some masquerades.
In a message delivered on the pulpit by
Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah, Masqueraders of Nigeria,
you better are warned. The Catholic Church has declared war against you and has
likened you to terrorists who should be dealt with by security agencies.
The masqueraders were part of the Oriokpa
masquerade popular in eastern Nigeria.
Onah who condemned the masqueraders during
church service, urged law enforcement agencies to treat those that block roads,
beat, and extort money from people as terrorists and cultists.
“It’s unfortunate that in this 21st century
some youths in Nsukka area will cover their face and block roads, beating and
extorting money from people who are going about their legitimate businesses in
the name of masquerading.
“The security agents should treat these
criminals who hide under the guise of masquerade as a culture to harass and
harm law-abiding citizens as terrorists and cultists,” he said.
On March 29 Lawrence Ezeugwu, a seminarian
serving in Nsukka diocese, was beaten into coma by a group of masqueraders who
blocked the road at Ugwuoyia, Nsukka.
“This is a sacrilege and abomination and the
church will ensure that all those involved are brought to book as well as fight
to put this evil culture to an end.
Onah said the matter was immediately reported
to the police and police had arrested one of the masqueraders.
He described the Oriokpa masquerade in Nsukka
as a cult and a form of idol worship and vowed to deal with any catholic
members engaging in masquerading no matter the position of that person in the
church.
The Enugu state Police Public Relation
Officer Mr Ebere Amaizu, confirmed the incident and said one of the
masqueraders was already in police custody.
“Investigation
and efforts are being intensified to ensure that all those involved in that
unfortunate incident are arrested and charged to court,” he said.
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