Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, on Sunday, directed that a suspension be placed on the annual Egungun Festival celebrations in Ibadan forthwith.
The suspension directive followed reported cases of violence, arson and looting of shops by some yet-to-be identified hoodlums hiding under the cover of the ongoing annual festival celebrations.
Oba Balogun gave the directive in a press release by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola.
Olubadan equally summoned all the leaders of masquerades, known as Alaagbaa, in Ibadanland to an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon at the ancient Aliiwo Palace, Agodi in Ibadan.
He expressed sadness over the reported cases of violence and brigandage accompanying the annual festival, the video of which has gone viral.
Olubadan described the development as unfortunate and an affront on his Palace, saying he had vehemently warned against the festival being turned into avenue to wreak havoc when the celebration was to begin.
It would be recalled that Oba Balogun, just last Wednesday, condemned similar violence during the same festival that was reported at Alafara Olubadan a couple of days earlier.
Ignoring the warning, the same violence was reported on Saturday, even on a scale bigger than the one that was previously recorded last Wednesday.
“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 traditional ruler stated.
Oba Balogun insisted that the ugly past when the masquerade festival was usually a period of terror with perceived enemies becoming targets of attack and violence had been buried a long time ago.
He further declared that any attempt to exhume such a mindset of violence would be met with stiff sanctions.
“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 am for peace and there is zero tolerance for whatever it is that will not give my people peace of mind,” the Olubadan added.
