Thursday 28 March 2013

(GIST): Confusion in Enugu community as native shoots colleague dead during masquerade festival


Residents of Nguru village in Nkpunano community, Nsukka, Enugu State have deserted their homes following the killing of an indigene identified as Boniface Ukwueze during a masquerade festival on Tuesday night.
Although in line with traditions of Nsukka people, ‘spirits are believed to be involved in such celebration and not humans. It however turned out the other way as Boniface was allegedly shot dead by his nephew, Chebube Ukwueze.
The police were said to have arrested many villagers immediately after the incident.
The police Spokesman in Enugu state, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident to DailyPost, disclosed that full investigations have commenced on the alleged killing.
“Boniface Ukwueze of Nguru community was on Tuesday allegedly shot dead by Chebube Ukwueze during the community masquerade festival.
“Police has recovered the dane gun used in the shooting. Police has also commenced full scale investigation on circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased”, Amaraizu said.
A reliable source told DailyPost that the unfortunate incident brought the festival to an abrupt end.
According to him, everybody was dancing and celebrating with the masquerades when Chebube hit his leg on a stone, adding that in the process he unknowingly touched the trigger and Boniface was killed instantly.
He said, ‘’Whenever we are celebrating masquerade festival, some people usually carry dane gun shooting into the air to add spice to the celebration.
“We have been doing this festival since our forefathers, but it is unfortunate that this year’s own turned tragic.
“It was an accidental discharge, Chekwube has no intention of killing his uncle”.
Speaking on the tragedy, the councillor representing the area in Nsukka Legislative Council, Mr Nick Obayi, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the community had handed over the suspect to the police to avoid massive arrest of community members.
“We know it was an accidental discharge, so the community will work closely with the police to ensure that the matter was resolved amicably”, he said.
He noted that the tragedy would not prevent the community from continuing the festival since everybody knew the killing was not intentional.
When contacted, the traditional ruler of Nkpunano community, Igwe Patrick Okoro, confirmed the incident, describing it as an unfortunate incident that occurred during the festival.
“The community has been celebrating this festival for a long time; we have never witnessed this kind of tragedy before”, he observed.

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