By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
A young man whose identity is unknown has been burnt to death in a masquerade costume during the Elim Ede cultural festival in Ogbunike community in Anambra state.

The incident occurred on Saturday during mystery fire demonstration with a substance suspected to be gun powder.

Investigations revealed that the Elim Ede Cultural Festival is an annual ceremony in which masquerades from different villages and communities converge on the village square to entertain indigenes and others from neighbouring towns.

An eyewitness said the custodians who lead the masquerade to Amawa square to entertain people had lit fire on the ground In front of the masquerade, which was immediately extinguished in a rare display of some magical powers.

However, unknown to the custodians and the masquerade, the fire on a second mystic attempt enveloped the masquerade, as the fire failed to quench during efforts to rescue the masquerade.

According to the witness, “Unknown to the attendants, the fire had entered the raffia costume worn by the masquerade, and before they could put it off, it spread all over the body of the masquerade, causing the man in it, serious burns.”

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It was gathered that the man inside the masquerade had sustained first-degree burns and was quickly rushed to the hospital.

He was later confirmed dead on Sunday evening.