The Kogi State Police Command has banned the indigenes
of Ihima and its traditional rulers from holding the annual
Echane masquerades festival on April 25 due to the rerun
elections holding in some parts of the state.
The festival, which is a cultural event of the Ihima
community in Okehi Local Government Area of the state, is
scheduled to hold from April 25 to 27.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi
Ogunjemilusi, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer
of the command, Sola Collins, on Friday, also warned the
clan heads, sub-clan heads, and priests of the Ajaokuta
Local Government Area to desist from another traditional
festival, which was billed to hold on April 26.
Ogunjemilusi said, “The state Police command wishes to
reiterate that the ban on masquerades’ outing, as earlier
agreed by the traditional rulers in the state and the state
government, in the face of emanating crimes, will be upheld,
especially during the election, until otherwise stated by the
state government and when the coast proves conducive
enough for it not to be used for the act of criminality.
“The CP equally notified the people of Ajaokuta Local
Government Area, who fixed their traditional festival on April
26, to put it off in the overall interest of peace.
“Violation of this order by clans, sub-clan, priests or any
persons shall attract the full wrath of the law.”


www.punchng.com/news/police-ban-kogi-masquerade-festivals-during-poll-rerun/