Residents in the ancient town of Oyo are apprehensive as the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulakeem Owoade commences the mandatory rites before his ascension to the revered position of the Alaafin of Oyo.
This is because a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been clamped on the residents, curtailing their movements from 8pm to 6am daily for the Oro Ipebi to hold successfully.
A statement signed by Rotimi Osuntola, the Chief of Staff to the monarch said the rites would hold from Friday, March 7 and end on Saturday March 29, 2025.
The statement said throughout the period, “curfew shall be imposed as it is customary from 8pm to 6am daily throughout Oyo township.”
“This means movements are not allowed during the period of the curfew and anyone who contravenes this order shall be arrested and detained till 7am of the following day after his or her arrest.
“It is pertinent to state that the Oro Ipebi rites which makes the incoming Alaafin to go into absolute seclusion while it lasts is sacrosanct for the ascending Iku-Baba-Yeye, and must be respected by all and sundry”, the statement said.
