After being allegedly attacked by a Muslim group known as Kamarudeen Muslim Society last week, a leading masquerade in Iwo, the headquarters of Iwo Local Government area of Osun State, called Ogundeji, has demanded for a sum of N20 million to prepare sacrifice to avert evil that may follow action of the group.
The masquerade also added that part of the money will also be used to sew new regalia for the masquerade, saying the initial one was badly damaged after the alleged attack by the Muslim group.
According to sources, on Tuesday last week, there was panic in Iwo town, when Kamarudeen Muslim society allegedly attacked Ogundeji masquerade, beating him until he fainted.
During the incident, the Muslim group also allegedly burnt the regalia of the masquerade, while the handler narrowly escaped death, but sustained serious injury.
In its reaction, the Alagbaa of Iwo-land, Chief Ojelana Ojeseyi, condemned the development, describing the attack as “unwarranted, barbaric and inhuman”.
He added that “their action violate the fundamental rights of the traditional worshippers, hence the need for government and all the relevant agencies to intervene, with a view to checkmate the inhuman treatment and forestall its reoccurrence in the future”.
However, aftermath of the attack, the handler of Ogundeji masquerade, Mrs. Ogundeji Omo- Babalawo, in her reaction disclosed that incident had claimed her ancestors’ inheritance, urging government to come to her aid by providing N20 million to appease the gods and make new regalia for the masquerade.
She averred that “it would cost almost N20 million to prepare concoction and sacrifice to appease spirits of the burnt mas querade and to design another one”.
Also in their separate reactions, two high chiefs of Iwo land, Moderin and Mojirin,
Prince Abimbola Adegboyega and Prince Lasunkanmi Tadese, respectively condemned the attack, saying the Muslim group had violated the agreement reached in the palace during a stakeholders meeting on how to ensure peaceful Egungun festival in the ancient community.
Commenting, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, stated that the government would look into the matter and resolve the issue amicably so as to ensure religious harmony in the state, stressing that the incumbent administration was committed to peaceful co- existence in the state irrespective of religion and political affliction.
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Folashade Odor, said police had already commenced investigation into the matter, assuring that anybody found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of law.
