Residents of Ikorodu area of Lagos have been warned to stay off the streets from 12.00 a.m. to 5.00 a.m. for the next one week.
This was part of activities to mark this year’s Eyibi Festival that will see to the emergence of the ancient Eluku masquerade.
According to information gathered by the Nigerian Tribune, only real indigenes of Ikorodu were permitted to partake in the festival and could move about during the period.
A native of Ikorodu, Mr Shakiru Adeleye, however, told the Nigerian Tribune that non-natives of Ikorodu had nothing to be afraid of, asking them to go about their normal business activities during the day, as the restriction of movements would only start from midnight.
Adeleye, who stated that he was not speaking on behalf of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, nonetheless expressed the belief that he was speaking the mind of the monarch.
“The true information is that non-indigenes should stay indoors from 11.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. during the celebration of Eluku festival which will run from Tuesday, August 23 to August 30,” he said.
The Eluku Festival, as gathered by the Nigerian Tribune, is a key festival of lkorodu.