Cultural life of the people of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was temporarily halted when Ekpo, a popular, but dreaded masquerade was knocked down by a hit and run driver during the weekend.
The Ekpo, who nobody knows its origin, was said have been hit when the driver, who tried to avoid another vehicle on the road.
It was expected that the masquerade, which most people in Akwa Ibom consider to be spirit from another world, would stand up and continue with his parade.
But they realized that even spirits feel pain as it was obvious that he was badly hurt.
The sad part is that even in his pain, he was still dreaded.
“People could not go to help him because Ekpo is a dreaded culture. They just stood at a distance to observe him writhe in pains till he died,” a witness said.
The state Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh, who confirmed the incident said, when he was informed that Ekpo has been killed, he called the appropriate authorities to go and evacuate the corpse.