Tricycle kills masquerade during Awka festival

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By Madu Obi

The annual traditional festival in Awka, Anambra State, expected to climax later this month, has claimed its first casualty, as a tricycle crushed a masquerade to death on Sunday.

The human being in the masquerade was knocked down by the tricycle as it was moving along the road. It was gathered that the tricycle operator was instantly arrested.

"One masquerade was hit by a Keke NAPEP on Sunday and his head crushed. It was indeed a sad development", an eye witness said.

The festival, known as Imo Awka,, attracts people from within and outside the country.

In the past, the police evolved a means of controlling movement during the festival, but it is not clear if that measure is still in force.

The celebration lasts for about one week in the month of May, but as a way of creating awareness before the final day, some of the masquerades usually take to the streets to entertain people ahead of the D-Day.

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There had been cases of loss of lives during the celebration of Imo Awka Festival in previous years, leading to questions as to whether spilling of blood is synonymous with the festival.

This year's festival is expected to commence officially on May 19 and climax on May 24.