SO SAD! OWU MASQUERADE CAUSES 5MONTH OLD BABY TO FALL INSIDE BOILING POT OF SOUP IN OWERRI

Panic struck Amakohia Ubi community in Owerri
West Council Area of Imo State on Monday, as a
five-month-old baby boy slipped
from the hands of his minder, a 10-year-old girl,
who was being chased by a masquerade and fell
inside a large boiling pot of soup.
An eye witness told our correspondent that the
10-year-old girl, who also suffered severe
injuries, was fleeing from one of the “ Owu”
masquerades that had chased her in front of a
house while carrying the deceased toddler and as
she ran to the back of the house, she stumbled
and the toddler slipped from her hands and fell
into a pot of soup being prepared by a food
vendor.
According to the witness, the masquerade, on
realising the havoc caused, took to his heels.
However, efforts to revive the baby proved
abortive as the baby was pronounced dead by a
doctor, after some good Samaritans rushed him
to a nearby hospital.
When NEWS MEN visited the scene, parents of
the deceased baby were still in a state of shock
and refused to speak to the press as
sympathisers besieged their residence.
The Amakohia masquerade festival also known
as “Owu” is the most dreaded festival in Owerri
West Council as it is characterised by display of
charms, constant flogging and harassment.
Meanwhile, the festival, which normally lasts a
month, has been temporarily suspended as a
result of the incident.