In response to the distressing reports of violence, arson, and looting of shops perpetrated by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums during the ongoing Egungun festival in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has ordered an immediate halt to the festival’s celebration.
Communicated via a press release, the directive from the monarch has reached newsmen in Ibadan, with the efforts of his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola.
An emergency meeting has been convened by the monarch, who equally summoned all the leaders of masquerades, known as Alaagbaa in Ibadanland. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday afternoon at the historic Aliiwo Palace in Agodi, Ibadan.
The outbreak of violence and unruly behaviour during the annual festival has deeply disturbed Oba Balogun, who has openly communicated his disapproval of the trend.
He cited the widely circulated viral video capturing these incidents as unfortunate and an act of disrespect towards his Palace.
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The monarch had taken a strong stance against allowing the festival to be used as a means to wreak havoc, right from its initial stages.
His words: ‘I warned seriously against what is happening when the festival was to commence and the assurances I got then were that nothing untoward would accompany the festival’
‘But, the reports coming to me have been at variance with those assurances I earlier got from the masquerades’ leaders.’
‘No responsible leader would fold his arms or put on the cap of I care less when majority of those subjects one superintendents over are in agony and living in perpetual fear just because of the activities of a few misguided elements who find it difficult to be law-abiding.’
‘This is why the suspension clause has to be invoked and how long it lasts would be determined by the outcome of the meeting of Monday afternoon,’ the monarch stated.
‘I use this medium to call on the security agencies to remain up and doing and ensure no culprit is spared. Whoever flouts the suspension order just given under whatever guise must be handled like a criminal.’
‘I’m for peace and there’s zero tolerance for whatever it is that will not give my people peace of mind,’ Oba Balogun added.
Oba Balogun was adamant in his stance that the days of terror and violence during the masquerade festival, where perceived enemies were subjected to attacks, were long gone.
He issued a stern warning, stating that any move to revive those dark times would be met with strong sanctions.