{"id":124174,"date":"2025-12-03T00:51:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T23:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=124174"},"modified":"2025-12-03T00:51:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T23:51:37","slug":"police-arrest-masquerade-for-breaching-state-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/police-arrest-masquerade-for-breaching-state-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"Police Arrest Masquerade for Breaching\u00a0 State Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"m#msg-f:1850423565137248783\" class=\"mail-message expanded\">\n<div id=\"m#msg-f:1850423565137248783-header\" class=\"mail-message-header spacer\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n<div id=\"m#msg-f:1850423565137248783-content\" class=\"mail-message-content collapsible zoom-normal mail-show-images \">\n<div class=\"clear\">\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained a man, identified as David Effiong, for allegedly causing a public disturbance while fully dressed in masquerade regalia in violation of the state government\u2019s prohibition on masquerade outings.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Effiong was arrested on Tuesday after residents of the community reportedly raised alarm over a masquerader who was moving through the area, causing panic and allegedly damaging property, including shop displays and household items left outside.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to police sources, several phone calls were placed to the divisional headquarters after the masquerade\u2019s behaviour escalated, prompting officers to intervene and restore order. Eyewitnesses said the masquerade was \u201cintimidating passersby,\u201d chasing children, and obstructing commuters, which created tension and disrupted normal activities in the neighbourhood.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, in Akwa Ibom state said Effiong will be charged to court.\u00a0 noting that the suspect was apprehended for \u201cbreaching public peace and defying the existing ban on masquerade displays within the state.\u201d He added that Effiong\u2019s actions posed a threat to public safety and warranted swift law enforcement response.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Akwa Ibom State has, for years, grappled with the challenge of unregulated masquerade activities some of which have resulted in violence, road blockages, extortion, and assaults on residents. In response, the government issued a standing ban on public masquerade displays without prior permission from the Ministry of Culture and relevant security agencies.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authorities have repeatedly warned that masquerade performances must be strictly controlled to prevent the \u201cexploitation of cultural traditions for criminal or disruptive activities.\u201d The latest incident underscores the state\u2019s resolve to enforce the regulation.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Residents expressed relief over the timely intervention, saying the masquerade\u2019s conduct had instilled fear and disrupted business operations. Some also called for stricter enforcement of the ban, arguing that unauthorized masquerades often serve as a cover for youth gangs and criminal behaviour.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Effiong is currently being held for questioning and may face charges related to willful destruction of property, public nuisance, and violation of government directives.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">Police authorities urged members of the public to respect cultural regulations and report any suspicious or disruptive activities promptly to security agencies.<\/div>\n<div id=\"m_3991457882248905533ymail_android_signature\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Related Posts generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Lizzy Chirkpi The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained a man, identified as David Effiong, for allegedly causing a public disturbance while fully dressed in masquerade regalia in&hellip;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Related Posts generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":124175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - 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