Tension In Ejigbo As Youths Seize Spiritual Goat

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Residents in Ejigbo area of Lagos have been gripped by fear over the clash between the monarch, HRM Oba Moroof Adisa Ojoola, and some youths, who reportedly invaded their shrine at Agbole and seized the spiritual goat meant for sacrifice for the celebration of Omagbo festival.

The angry youths, led by one Atiku Jelili, went to the shrine and were said to have attacked some elders doing renovations preparatory to the festival at the shrine. They reportedly seized the goat and locked the shrine.

According to some residents, if the Omagbo festival, celebrated once in every five years, was not done this year, it means that calamity will fall the land.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the festival was celebrated once in every five years to appease the dead for peace to reign in the area and if the community fails to do so, the lives of the people living in Ejigbo may be in danger including the elders and Oba Ojoola.

Following what was described as abomination since the history of Ejigbo, Oba Ajoola reported to the Police and some of the youths including Atiku Jelili, Monsuru Saila, Fatai Habibu and Taiwo Sanni, who allegedly went to the shrine, broke the key and fixed 7th June, 2019, for Omagbo festival.

The suspects were arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace as well as threatening the life of Oba Ojoola and some elders.

P.M.EXPRESS moved to find out what was the cause of the crisis and discovered that there had been lingering issues between the Oba and the youths led by Jelili.
It was gathered that the youths were angry that the monarch did not consult anybody including the ruling family over the date for the festival slated for 7th June, 2019. Apart from that the youths alleged that Oba Ojoola had declared that he was a Christian and had no business with the tradition of the community.
Hence, they wanted him to suspend the festival pending when the community had made adequate preparations for the festival but the monarch insisted that the celebration must go on and he had declared so as the traditional ruler of Ejigbo.

The issue has brought serious tension and sense of insecurity in the area. The Police were said to be practically on the streets to avert any violence that may likely arise due to the crisis.

The visibly unhappy residents recalled how the Police had restored sanity in the area and all forms of criminality were reduced to the barest level, which ensured peace in the area before the recent clash.

It was also gathered that the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Mr. Bello Oloyede, had summoned a peace meeting to proffer solutions but both factions did not agree; the Oba went ahead with arrangements for the festival which was rejected by the majority of the youths who refused to participate.

According to the indigenes, there will probably be danger ahead because the dead will not be happy about the shoddy preparations for this year’s festival unlike in the past.
P.M.EXPRESS contacted both the monarch and Jelilli but they were not available to speak on the matter. The residents are appealing for the parties involved to resolve the matter amicably so that the Ejigbo community will remain peaceful.