The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has moved to clear the air over concerns raised about an alleged curfew imposed in Oyo town during the ongoing 21-day traditional Oro Ipebi rites.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief of Staff, Rotimi Osuntola, in Ibadan, the monarch directed that there should be no talk of a curfew, stressing that the intention behind the initial announcement was to ensure public awareness and safety.
The palace acknowledged that the wording of the earlier statement—particularly terms like “curfew,” “arrest,” and “detention”—had been misinterpreted.
It explained that such expressions were traditionally used whenever Oro rites were observed in the Oyo Kingdom but were not meant to impose forceful restrictions on movement.
According to the statement, “The concerns raised by some residents over movement restrictions during the ongoing Oro Ipebi rites are noted. While words such as curfew, arrest, and detention appeared in the initial announcement, they were used in the traditional context of past Oro rites and not intended to infringe on religious activities during Ramadan and Lent.”
The Alaafin, described as a devout Muslim, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting fundamental human rights and religious freedom. As a result, the directive on curfew and potential arrests has been withdrawn.
Oba Owoade, who emphasized his role as a peace-loving ruler, urged residents to remain cautious in areas where the rites are being performed but assured them that they are free to go about their normal activities without fear of harassment.
“The palace regrets any misunderstanding caused by the choice of words in the initial release. The statement was issued in the interest of public safety, but we recognize the need for clarity. Residents and visitors can continue their daily activities without concern,” the statement concluded.
