Anambra State Government has declared wanted the suspect that used masquerade to kill a seventy-one year old man, one Chief Shadrach Okoye, in Umuawulu community, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Comrade Don Onyenji, stated that it is a criminal offence for any one to murder another.
On the twenty-fifth of December 2023, a nineteen year old boy was alleged to have used masquerade to kill Chief Okoye while the victim was seeing his visitor off, and sccording to reports, the suspect has been on the run since the incident occurred.
Gab Alokwe of the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism said that Commissioner Onyenji, who called on the police to investigate the matter to ensure that justice prevails, made it clear that the state government has made a statement on the conduct of masquerades during festivals, which mandated masquerades to entertain people at community squares, and in a civil manner.
He appealed to the Traditional rulers and Presidents General of various communities to monitor their masquerades to ensure they do not obstruct the roads or tax people to pay them money.
While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, the Culture Commissioner said he has discussed the issue with the Traditional ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu.