Ogun Imams oppose daytime curfew for monarch’s burial rites

Ogun Imams oppose daytime curfew for monarch’s burial rites

The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has raised concerns over an alleged plan by traditionalists to enforce a daytime curfew in the Ikolaje and Idiroko communities of Ipokia Local Government Area, as part of burial rites for the late Oniko of Ikoland, Oba John Adekunle.

The proposed curfew, which has sparked growing tension and unease among residents—particularly between Muslim faithful and traditional worshippers—is reportedly intended to accompany the monarch’s final rites.

In a petition addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, dated July 24, 2025, and copied to the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other relevant authorities, the Muslim leaders condemned the move, describing it as a blatant violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects the fundamental rights of all citizens.

They further argued that the curfew proposal breaches multiple peace agreements previously reached among stakeholders in the area and contradicts a January 30, 2017 judgment delivered by the Ogun State High Court in Ipokia, which ruled that the imposition of a daytime curfew in any community is unconstitutional and an infringement on the rights of residents.

Justice S.M. Owodunni, who delivered the judgment, also ordered that the Oro festival must be restricted to between midnight and 4:00 am only.

The petition read: “Your Excellency, we have credible reports that certain individuals and groups claiming to be traditional practitioners have commenced activities aimed at imposing a daytime curfew on innocent residents under the guise of performing traditional rites for the late Oniko of Ikoland, Oba John Olakunle.

“These activities began Monday, 21st July, 2025 and are scheduled to continue until 19th August, 2025, during which residents are being threatened with forced restriction of movement, closure of shops, and other infringements on their daily lawful activities.

“While the League of Imams and Alfas fully recognises and respects the rights of traditional religion adherents, we unequivocally condemn any attempt to forcefully compromise the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens contrary to the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and established court judgements.

“We respectfully call the attention of Your Excellency to the following binding legal and administrative positions on this matter: Judgment of the High Court of Ogun State Holden at Ipokia (30th January, 2017).

“The Honourable Justice S.M. Owodunni in Suit No. M/8/2017 declared that no individual or group has the right to impose daytime curfew on any community in Ipokia Local Government; that any such act is unlawful, unconstitutional, and an outright violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights; and that Oro festival must be restricted to between 12 midnight and 4:00 am only.”

It added, “At the stakeholders agreement of 21st August, 2019, representatives of Muslims, Christians and traditionalists (Oro adherents) agreed that Oro festival rites should be held strictly between 12:00 midnight and 4:00 am, with no form of human restrictions or infringement on fundamental rights.”

The Muslim leaders said another broad peace parley held on 27th February, 2020, which had in attendance religious stakeholders, security agencies, the Hausa community, the caretaker chairman of Ipokia Local Government and the late traditional ruler, also agreed that there shall be no daytime curfew, and that Oro activities must be restricted to 12:00 midnight to 4:00 am.

The traditional religion adherents were also said to have agreed at the meeting to avoid worship centres and schools, with a clear warning that breaching this peace accord would attract full responsibility for the leaders involved.

The Yewa Traditional Council, in a letter dated 27th September, 2012, had also prohibited daytime Oro celebrations, a position reaffirmed by the then Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in a letter dated 11th June, 2018.

The Muslim leaders further recalled that violations of the 2017 court judgment and several peace agreements in July 2019 had previously resulted in the vandalization of a mosque and violent attacks on Muslim worshippers by adherents of the Oro and Orisa traditional cults.

They alleged that the renewed attempt to impose a daytime curfew—which reportedly began on July 21, 2025, and is scheduled to last until August 19, 2025—was a clear act of defiance against established legal and communal resolutions. According to them, the move poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence, religious freedom, and the rule of law.

In their petition, the Muslim leaders urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to immediately direct security agencies to stop the unlawful curfew, ensure the protection of lives and property, and prevent the intimidation or harassment of innocent citizens.

They also called on the governor to reaffirm the existing state policy that strictly limits the observance of Oro rites to the hours of 12:00 midnight to 4:00 a.m.—a policy backed by court rulings, official government circulars, and previous stakeholder agreements.

Concluding their appeal, the leaders requested that individuals or traditional leaders found to be violating these lawful directives be held accountable. They also reassured the residents of Ikolaje, Idiroko, and the entire state of their constitutional rights to freedom of movement, worship, work, and lawful enterprise without fear or restriction.