19th
February, 2021
PRESS RELEASE:
S.O.S TO GOV ABIODUN: STOP ILLEGAL ORO
CURFEW IN IPOKIA NOW -MURIC
An Ipokia-based Muslim group, the
Concerned Muslim Network of Ipokia Local Government Area, has raised alarm over
the illegal curfew imposed by the Oro cult in Ipokia. The illegal curfew is due
to start on Saturday, 20th February, 2021. The group has promised to
meet force with force if the Ogun State Government and the state Police Command
fail to intervene.
Meanwhile the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC) has sent a Save Our Soul (S.O.S) message to the governor of
Ogun State to stop the illegal curfew in order to avert violent confrontation
between the cultists and the Concerned Muslim Network of Ipokia. MURIC’s S.O.S
was contained in a press release issued by its director, Professor Ishaq
Akintola, on Friday, 19th February, 2021.
According to MURIC, “Trouble is
looming in Ipokia, Ogun State as a Muslim group, the Concerned Muslim Network
of Ipokia Local Government Area is warming up for a bloody confrontation with
Oro cultists who have declared an illegal curfew on all inhabitants of the
town.
“The group’s statement on the matter
which we believe is self-explanatory, is quoted below:
‘The cultists have
chosen Saturday 20th February, 2021CE as the date for the commencement of
curfew and the restriction of movement that will last for seven days.
It should be recalled that similar acts was challenged by both
Muslims and Christians in Ipokia High Court and in the judgement delivered
on 30th January, 2018. The Chief Judge ruled that the Oro cultists have no
constitutional rights to impose any curfew on the general populace and such
action is illegal and should never be allowed to take place again.
‘After the judgement, the Oro worshippers signed an agreement with
Christians and Muslims at a religious stakeholders’ meeting held at the
Conference Room of Ipokia Local Government Secretariat on 21st August 2019. The
said meeting was presided over by the Head of Local Government Administration
(HOLGA) in Ipokia, Engr Babatunde Odunlami where representatives of Christians
and Muslims were in attendance.
‘The Security agents were not left out also. They all signed an
agreement restricting the celebration of Oro festival to midnight from 12 am to
4 am. The signed document also indicated that there should be no restriction of
any form to non-members of Oro cult within the period
‘It was equally agreed that Christians and Muslims must conduct their
services inside churches and mosques respectively. Outside procession with
loudspeakers are also forbidden during Oro festivals while no religious group
should, in their preaching or songs, call traditional worshippers derogatory
names and no one should infringe on the fundamental human rights of citizens as
enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. In addition, any religious group that
intends to organise a festival must inform the local government, police and
other security agencies in writing beforehand.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Muslims by the Imam of Idi Iroko,
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and two others: Faruq Tiamiyu and Yahya Ajibola.
Christians were represented by Joseph Arogunyo, John Jayeola and Adesina Sunday
while Ojo Alade, Gafar Waidi and Suuru Adeyemi signed on behalf of Oro
worshippers.
In the agreement signed on 21st August, 2019, the then DPO of
Idiroko police station, CSP Opebiyi Sunday was in attendance and he
signed as a witness while the then DPO of Ipokia was represented by CSP Oluku
Sunday. Also, the Department of State Services (DSS) was represented by B. E.
Bassey, while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was represented by DRC Garba
Dare.’
“It will appear, therefore, that Ipokia cultists are not only reneging
on the 2019 agreement but also acting in contempt of the 2018 court judgement
by declaring a new curfew. This is tantamount to total disregard for the rule
of law, unbridled impunity and blatant disrespect for law enforcement agencies.
“As advocates of dialogue, rule of law and equal
rights for all, MURIC calls on the executive governor of Ogun State to do the
needful. There should be no breakdown of law and order in Ipokia in view of the
fragile state of affairs in the country. Governor Dapo Abiodun has a duty to
stop Oro cultists who have usurped the governor’s power by illegally imposing a
curfew.
“It is becoming clearer day by day that traditionalists in the South
West are growing wings as their level of intolerance keeps rising. It is well
known that Christians and Muslims do not impose any curfew on traditionalists
at any time at all. What right, therefore, do traditionalists have to restrict
the movement of Christians and Muslims?
“Chapter 4, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 2011) stipulates that every Nigerian
is entitled to move freely throughout the country. Only the state government on
the advice of the state commissioner of police can impose curfew but even then,
the curfew must be based on negative security report.
“MURIC urges the state governor to act
without delay in view of the declaration of the Ipokia Muslim group that ‘If they (i.e. Oro cultists) go ahead to impose
curfew and declare Saturday, 20th February, 2021CE as a day when our sit at
home must commence, then, we will order all Muslims to go out and consequently
dare their so called invincibility by the special grace of Allaah (sic)’”
Professor Ishaq
Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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