Following threats on the planned celebration of traditional religion in Ilorin, Kwara State, security men drawn from the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of the State Service, and military formations were on guard on Sunday at the Yemoja River in the Oko Olowo area of the metropolis in the Ilorin South local government area of the state to prevent a security breach in the state.
The Tribune investigation revealed that the Yemoja River was the venue of the planned celebration of traditional religious worship.
It was gathered that the security men were drafted to the river to prevent a clash between the traditional religion adherents, otherwise known as Isese, and the Islamic preachers, who had vowed to prevent the traditional worshippers from celebrating at the riverside.
Though the security officials were on the ground to man the river, neither the traditional worshippers nor the Islamic preachers were seen at the site.
However, it was gathered that the Isese festival celebration took place at Shao, one of the towns in the neighbouring Moro local government area of Kwara state.
Speaking with journalists at the Yemoja river site, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, who led the operation, said that the heavy presence of security operatives was to keep peace and protect the lives of the people and their property.
“The Security men are here to maintain peace. We are not here to deprive anyone of his or her fundamental human rights. They have been drafted to this place since yesterday to protect the people of the state.
“The security personnel are here to maintain peace. We have to be alert as a result of what the two sides are saying. We cannot allow the security and peace of the state to be breached. Kwara State is a state of harmony”, she said.
Also speaking, the Oba Etutu of Shao (chieftain of traditional worshippers), Chief Mobolaji Ajakitipa, who said that he celebrated the festival as an annual event in his home, said that he is an adherent of the traditional religion.
“We practise traditional religion in Shao. It is a Yoruba traditional town from Oyo Ile, which existed before Ilorin was founded. We have to celebrate our own Isese festival.
Oba Etutu, who commended the Police Commissioner for the security and action she took in preventing worshippers from other places from coming to celebrate in the state this year, however, appealed to the Kwara state government to grant recognition to traditional religion worshippers and declare a holiday for the annual Isese festival, as is done in some Yoruba-speaking states.
It is recalled that the state Police Command had earlier advised the traditional religion worshippers not to hold the celebration as planned on Sunday, August 20, in the state, saying that the security report did not favour holding the Isese festival, while the International Council of Ifa and Orisa Religions (ICIR) announced the postponement of the Isese festival celebration in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
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