A traditional masquerade festival in the Araromi area of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State, turned chaotic last Wednesday when a masquerade and a local monarch, Oba Lukman Arowolo (Gbadewolu 1), engaged in a physical altercation.
The incident, which was captured on social media, began when Oba Arowolo emerged from his residence and confronted a group of masqueraders participating in the annual Jigbo festival. The monarch questioned their presence in his domain, arguing that Araromi was not part of Ibeju.
The masqueraders responded by asserting that Araromi was indeed within Ibeju. An argument ensued, escalating into a brawl. The situation spiraled out of control as supporters of both parties joined the fray.
Police officers from the Elemoro Area Command and Akodo Division were called in to quell the violence. They fired teargas and gunshots to disperse the crowd.
In videos of the incident, armed officers were seen breaking into homes to arrest suspects. Two young men were dragged out of a building and handcuffed. Oba Arowolo was also seen using a cane to strike the masqueraders and their supporters.
The Onibeju of Ibejuland and paramount ruler of Ibeju-Lekki, Oba Olasunkanmi Waliu Rasaki, condemned Oba Arowolo’s actions, stating that the Jigbo festival was an annual tradition and that the monarch’s interference was a desecration of their culture.
Oba Arowolo declined to comment on the incident, but Oba Rasaki said he had invited the monarch to a meeting to address the matter. However, Oba Arowolo refused to attend.
The police have since intervened and called for a truce, but Oba Arowolo has remained absent from the proceedings. Oba Rasaki has urged the people of Ibeju to forgive Oba Arowolo’s actions, as he is a native of the area. CONTINUE READING
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