9th February, 2011
The police in Lagos State, South West, Nigeria have arrested two masquerades for allegedly stealing at Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos.
They were arrested and taken to Ijesha Police Station where their masks were removed and it was discovered that it was 24-year old Solomon Okon and Sunday Effiong, 20, that hid behind the masks to robpeople of their valuables.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the suspects wore masks armed with cutlasses and started harassing, beating and dispossessing ing people of their valuables in the area.
Among those they allegedly robbed are Emma Udoh, whom they assaulted and Mrs. Glory Thompson whom they  dispossessed of her purse containing N26,000 and other valuables.
They also raided some shops in the area and stole some valuables.
It was gathered that the residents decided to invite the police after several complaints that the suspects were disguising as masquerades to rob people.
The police were contacted and the suspects were arrested and taken to the station.
At the station they reportedly made a confessional statement that they used the masks to rob.
They were charged to Cele Magistrate’s Court with felony to wit stealing.
The offence is contrary to Section 517, 390 and 417 of the Criminal Code, Cap.38 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2004.
Okon and Effiong pleaded not guilty to the charge. The magistrate, Mrs. C. T. Adesola granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties.
They were remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa, Lagos pending when they will meet the bail conditions.
The matter has been adjourned.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe