The death of a motorcyclist in Awgbu in the wake of an encounter with a masquerade procession is a stark reminder that tradition, while culturally significant, cannot operate outside the bounds of public safety and the law.
Masquerade festivals hold legitimate cultural value across Southern Nigeria and beyond, serving as expressions of identity, spirituality, tourism and community cohesion. However, when such processions are staged in public spaces without clear rules guiding movement, traffic flow, interaction with residents, and crowd control, they risk becoming security and safety hazards rather than joyous cultural displays.
It again took a viral video, public outrage and media pressure before law enforcement moved, leading to the apprehension of the masquerade involved. While the response was commendable, the familiar pattern; event, viral evidence, outrage, then enforcement, has become the default mode of governance in Nigeria’s public space. This should not be our national template.
Awgbu is not an isolated case. During festive seasons, motorists, traders, commuters, cyclists and even students routinely encounter harassment or coercion under the guise of cultural celebration. The line between cultural practice and public disorder must not be blurred.
Tradition and law are not adversaries. What Nigeria lacks is a regulatory framework for high-density cultural events: permits, liaison officers, mapped procession routes, police presence, traffic coordination, time restrictions and penalties for misconduct. Many communities already do some of this informally; the time has come to formalize it.
Culture deserves protection, but so do citizens. The death in Awgbu was preventable. If no lessons are drawn from this moment, it may be repeated and the debate will return in the same circular fashion.
The time to act is now, before the next festival season.
— ITREALMS Editorial Board
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