Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 18.03.2008
THE police in Ogun State have arrested 10 men, including four masquerades, over a clash between two rival groups of masquerades from Ago-Oka area of the Abeokutain which three people died and several others sustained injuries.
Property worth millions of naira were also destroyed during the clash, which occurred on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Tribune that residents of the area scampered for safety while the violence lasted.
It was gathered that a big masquerade from Abeokuta makes his appearance once in a year and had decided to come out on Sunday when another rival masquerade from Lagos also made his appearance, following which the groups engaged each other in a fight.
According to the eyewitness, the masquerade from Lagos came with thugs, who were armed.
“He came with charms, guns and machets concealed in a coffin and this angered the other masquerade and his followers,†he said.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Awoyale, confirmed that four masquerades and six men had been arrested by the police in connection with the violence.
He said the suspects would soon be prosecuted. “They will be charged with malicious damage, conduct likely to cause the breach of the peace and conduct likely to occasion harm,†he said.
The police spokesman, however, said nobody was killed in the violence, saying that “our men are still in the area. Men of the Gateway Rapid Response Squad are still monitoring situation in the area.â€
source
www.masterweb.com/tribuneread this piece and it was soo hillariously funny that i had to post it here...policemen arresting masquerade