In a bid to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful Egungun Festival, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Williams, has organized a sensitization meeting at Police Headquarters Eleyele, Ibadan.
The meeting had in attendance stakeholders including traditionalists, leaders of the various Masquerade Bearing Households and other non-state actors in line with its strategic and proactive policing approach.
According to the statement, Mr Williams orders Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Heads of Command tactical formations to embark on confidence-building Patrols, Purposeful surveillance activities, and intelligence-led visibility policing ahead of the Masquerade festival slated later this month.
The Egungun Festival in Ibadan is a yearly event showcasing Oyo State’s rich cultural heritage but sometimes comes with crises and mayhem.
The Police Commissioner says the meeting became imperative to address growing concerns of the influx of various interests into the State under the guise of celebrating the age-long festival with loved ones.
Mr Williams assures people of the state of maximum security, before, during, and after the festive period.
The CP enjoins parents, guardians, and leaders yielding varying degrees of influence to warn their wards and protégés against mischievous activities that could breach the relative tranquility enjoyed in the State.
He, therefore, appeals to all and sundry to go about their daily lawful activities without fear of harassment or molestation of any kind.
The Commissioner says stakeholders have been legally bound by relevant laws and statutes for a peaceful procession exercise which would be actively monitored by the Command in line with standard best practices.
“The Police Commissioner added that the Command could be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615, toll free, OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND, and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614 in case of emergency.”
“The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and I phone users respectively.”
PR/Rasheedah Makinde
