By Daniel Edu
The Enugu State Police Command reported on Tuesday that they have detained an individual in possession of a firearm following a clash between two Odo Masquerade groups in Aku, within the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, revealed this in an official statement, adding that one person was killed during the clash on Monday. The incident also resulted in several injuries, including among the police officers dispatched to the scene.
Reports suggest that the clash was triggered by a dispute between the two groups regarding the scheduling of the festival.
However, according to the police statement, the situation has been restored to normalcy, and an investigation into the cause of the clash has been initiated.
Ndukwe stated, “A male suspect has been apprehended, and a firearm has been confiscated from him in relation to the conflict between rival groups in the Aku community of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area over the celebration of Odo Masquerade festival on August 28, 2023, around 4 pm.”
“The incident led to gunfire, resulting in the death of a male victim and causing injuries to others, including police officers deployed to de-escalate the situation,” he added.
