CAN Kicks as Traditional Worshippers Impose Five-hour Curfew

The Christian Association of Nigeria‘s (CAN) leadership in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has stated that the five-hour curfew that the followers of the Obatala deity imposed on Wednesday, between 2 p.m and 7 p.m. is unlawful.

According to reports, the curfew was imposed to allow free passage for the Oro procession, which was scheduled to travel through specific neighborhoods of Ife.

Residents of the designated zones, through which the Oro procession will pass, were urged to observe the curfew and remain indoors for the sake of Ile-Ife, according to a statement signed by Oba Isoro O. Dada, the Obalesu Obatala Agbaiye.

The message made by Dada, entitled “Special announcement from the house of Obatala to all Muslims and dwellers in Ile-Ife,” stated in part that the Oro Owa-Ilare celebration is set to begin on Wednesday, 27th, March 2024, and was intended for all Ile-Ife residents.

“Everyone living in Ile-Ife is advised to stay indoors during the Oro, which is scheduled to start at precisely 2 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. This includes Igbotapa, Ajamopo, Gbodo, Ita Olopo, Oja-Ife, Ita Oranfe, Enuwa Square, Ooni Ilare, Sabo Road 7, and Olumogbe Street.”

“For the benefit of Ile-Ife, it will be extremely excellent if every resident in these places above complies with this instruction.”

In the past, there has been hostility between Muslims and Oro devotees in Ile-Ife, and these disputes frequently turned violent.

At the Ilare Mosque in Ile-Ife on Thursday, March 30, 2023, five worshipers and Imam Abdullateef Adediran were hurt in violent altercations with several Oro adherents who were passing through the neighborhood where the mosque is located.

In response to the most recent curfew imposed by Obatala followers, the chairman of the Ile-Ife Christian Association (CAN) Rev. Canon Sam Onitiju stated, “As the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, we have been alerted to a statement that was issued by Obalesu Dada on behalf of Obatala traditional worshippers regarding the restriction of illegal movement and the requirement that people remain indoors in certain areas of ile-Ife on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, between 2 p.m and 7 p.m.

“We wish to draw the attention of Christians and Ile-ife residents to the events that took place during a peace conference that His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, hosted in his palace on May 15, 2023, with religious authorities and the Commissioner of Police for Osun State.

“The Christians led by Rev. Canon Dr. Sam Leye Onitiju, the Muslims led by Chief Imam Alhaji Abdul Semiy Abdul Hammed, and the traditionalists led by Obalesu Dada himself, stressed the need for religious tolerance and cautioned against limiting people’s freedom of movement during the day.

“In light of the aforementioned, we kindly request that all Christians observe Holy Week services in churches throughout the Ifeland without fear of harassment or violence from any individual or group of individuals.”

He insisted that no one should be harassed by traditionalists under the pretext of religious ceremonies, and he called on the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police of Osun State to make sure that the peace in the town was not disturbed.

Read Also: Bandits Kill Politician During Ramadan Prayers, Take Away Wife and Daughters