Kazeem Owoseni
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun on Friday, lifted the suspension order placed on the annual Egungun festival in Ibadan land, due to a spate of violence recorded last week in two different places within the municipality.
This disclosure was made in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday by the Personal Assistant to Olubadan on Media, Oladele Ogunsola.
It was stated that the suspension was lifted, following a consultation between the Olubadan Palace and the heads of masquerades (Alaagbaas) in the land.
However, the statement revealed that a letter has been sent to the Oyo State Police Commissioner, requesting the Command to make adequate provision for security coverage for the masquerades and their supporters, noting that there has been peaceful accord between the palace and the Alaagbaas adherents.
The letter to the Commissioner of Police reads in part: “Following this development, His Imperial Majesty, therefore seeks your esteemed cooperation by ensuring adequate security coverage for the masquerades and their supporters just as an order is also given that whoever engages in any act of violence must not be allowed to go scot-free.
“His Imperial Majesty reiterates his zero tolerance for any form of brigandage or violence in the course of the celebration of the festival and at all times.”
The Olubadan had made such a decision due to occurrences of violence, but, had to be indulgent with the adherents due to the importance of the festival to the metropolis, with a strict warning that any masquerade found fomenting trouble would face a total ban.
Similarly, the Alaagbaas, who pleaded with Olubadan on the matter, insisted that none of the violence that occurred was a result of rivalry between opposing masquerades, noting that they were caused by hoodlums, hiding under the cover of the festival to attack innocent residents and loot shops.
They however called on the security agents to be more committed to the safety of lives and property of the people, saying.
“We don’t believe or engage in violence as admonished by our revered monarch and we pledge our cooperation with the security agents not to interfere in their line of duty.
“Let them arrest whoever is found causing trouble and any of us that shows up to secure bail for such identified and arrested criminal should be detained alongside the culprit,” Alaagbaas said.
