Commerce in Ile-Ife came to a standstill as the Obatala adherents’ Oro procession took to the streets, enforcing a five-hour curfew from 2pm to 7pm on Wednesday.
The curfew, announced by the Obatala adherents’ leader, Oba Isoro O. Dada, was intended to facilitate the procession’s smooth movement through certain areas of Ife town.
In a public statement, Oba Dada urged residents to comply with the curfew and remain indoors during the Oro Owa-Ilare festival for the town’s benefit.
“This is a special announcement for all dwellers of Ile-Ife, Oro Owa-Ilare festival that will commence on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
“The Oro will begin exactly at 2pm and end at 7pm. We hereby announce that every dweller of Ile-Ife to stay indoors around the following areas: Igbotapa, Ajamopo, Gbodo, Ita Olopo, Oja-Ife, Ita Oranfe, Enuwa Square, Ooni Ilare, Sabo, Road 7 and Olumogbe Street. It will be very good if every dweller in these areas listed above adheres to this instruction for the benefit of Ile-Ife,” Dada stated in a statement titled; Special Announcement from the House of Obatala to all Muslims and Dwellers in Ile-Ife’.
The announcement follows a history of strained relations between Muslims and Oro adherents in Ile-Ife, which have previously led to violent confrontations.
In response to the curfew, Rev Canon Sam Onitiju, the Ile-Ife CAN chairman, declared the movement restrictions illegal and called for the protection of all residents’ rights to move freely during daylight hours, citing a peace meeting held by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi that emphasized religious tolerance.
“As the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, our attention has been drawn to a press release by Obalesu Dada on behalf of Obatala Traditional Worshippers on illegal movement restriction and stay indoors of people in some areas in Ile-Ife on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 between 2pm and 7pm.
“We want to bring to the notice of Christians and dwellers in Ile-Ife that His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, during the peace meeting with religion leaders and Osun State Commissioner of Police on May 15, 2023, held in his palace, with the Muslims led by Chief Imam Alhaji Abdul Semiy Abdul Hammed, the Christians led by CAN Chairman Rev, Canon Dr Sam Leye Onitiju and traditionalists, led by Obalesu Dada himself, Kabiyesi emphasised on the need for religious tolerance and also warned against the restriction of movement of people in broad daylight.
“In the light of the above, we encourage all Christians to observe their Holy Week services in churches across Ifeland without fear of molestation and attack from any individual and/or group of people.”
As a precaution, security forces were deployed to prevent potential clashes, and residents adhered to the curfew, resulting in the closure of schools and businesses and the emptying of streets during the designated hours.
The tension was palpable in areas like Ilare, where the procession’s presence was strongly felt.
