On Saturday, the Ikenne township in Ogun State’s Ikenne Local Government area was embroiled in a crisis as a group of youths defied the government’s ban and proceeded to celebrate the annual Oro festival, despite official restrictions.

It was gathered that tensions had been simmering in the town for several days, with youths staging protests and vowing to proceed with the annual Oro festival, with or without government approval.

The situation escalated on Saturday morning when the youths took to the streets, setting fire to tyres on major roads in the town, insisting that the Oro festival would be celebrated.

This act of defiance led to a confrontation with the police, who had been keeping a close watch on the situation to prevent any disruption of peace and order.

Viral videos circulating on social media reveal flames engulfing burnt tyres in various parts of the town, capturing the intensity of the protests.

A voice accompanying one of the videos had said, “Ikenne on fire and this is because the youths are being prevented from celebrating Oro festival.”

A youth, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that they had been voicing their discontent for days over the festival’s cancellation.

The source said, “It has been an ongoing crisis for some time now because the town is polarised over the obaship tussle.

“I guessed the government is mindful of the fragile peace in the town and wouldn’t want anyone to hide under one festival to unleash mayhem. So, it said that the festival should not be celebrated just like what happened last year.

“Some youths are however hellbent on celebrating the festival and this is what caused the face-off with the police.”

On Sunday, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu confirmed the incident, stating that the state command had taken control of the situation, apprehending 20 suspects and impounding two vehicles linked to the chaos.

Alamutu said, “We are very much aware of the situation, it is a fall-out of the longstanding obaship crisis in the town and recently, the court dismissed the person currently on the throne but the judgment had been appealed.

“So based on the tense atmosphere, the local government which is the consenting authority for the festival said that it should not be celebrated so that it won’t lead to any breach of peace. We did the same thing last year but some youths who are being misguided decided they must have their way.

“We have arrested 20 of them, impounded two vehicles and everyone will soon be brought to the state command at Eleweran, Abeokuta to answer for their misdeeds.” (Daily Independent)

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