A tragic incident has marred preparations for this year’s Imo Awka Festival in Anambra State, as a masquerade was killed on Sunday after being hit by a commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP.
Eyewitnesses say the accident occurred while the masquerade was parading along the road. The impact reportedly crushed the victim’s head, leading to his immediate death. The tricycle operator was swiftly apprehended by authorities at the scene.
“One masquerade was hit by a Keke NAPEP on Sunday, and his head was crushed. It was indeed a sad development,” one witness recounted, describing a chaotic and somber atmosphere that followed.
The annual Imo Awka Festival, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the Awka people, officially begins on May 19 and will culminate on May 24. The weeklong event draws participants and tourists from across Nigeria and beyond, featuring processions, masquerades, dances, and spiritual rites.
While the festival has a rich heritage, it has also gained notoriety for occasional accidents and violent incidents. In previous years, the police enforced road closures and crowd control measures to maintain order. However, it remains unclear whether similar precautions are in place this year.
The latest fatality has renewed calls for improved safety protocols during traditional festivals in the region. Organisers and local authorities are expected to issue statements in the coming days as investigations into the incident continue.
