Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta
A breakdown of law and order in Ikenne-Remo in Ogun State, southwest, Nigeria is imminent as Oro cult group, defied the order from the State government to carry out its activities in the night.
The Ogun state government had directed that the yearly festival be held at night, so as not to disrupt normal business and social activities in the day time. In giving the directive, government also took cognisance of a clash between the traditionalists and Muslims in some parts of the State last year.
Nevertheless, the Oro adherents staged their activities in the day time, locking up the streets against women.
Business activities that always boom during the fasting period was at
the lowest ebb today as shops and markets run by women were shut.
A Ramadan public lecture planned for today was suspended indefinitely.
The atmosphere in the town was charged as the Oro cultists planned a three-day fetsival.
There was palpable fear in the town as posters by one Islamic
organization, called Hizbullahi Movement of Nigeria announcing a
Ramadan lecture for today flooded the town.
The group has vowed to resist any day time Oro festival during the
month of Ramadan, adding that, "since the State government has banned
such practice, it must remain so".
P.M. News gathered from a reliable source that the League of Imams and
Alfas in the town had informed the government that the Oro cultists were determined to ignore government's order.
They did the same recently in Ogere Remo, another community in Ikenne local government. And they also planned to impose a mini-curfew when they celebrate next weekend in Ilishan-Remo.
Muslims are fuming about the restrictions that the Oro Cultists have imposed on their fellow muslims.
Reacting to the development, Ogun State chapter of Muslim Right
Concern condemned the State government for playing hide and seek game
with the issue, advising that it better nipped the matter in the bud
before it degenerates beyond their imagination.
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon and signed by its
Coordinator, Luqman Soliu, copy of which was made available to our
correspondent in Abeokuta, the group wondered how the Chairman of a
local government will give an order to flout that of the State
government while the latter seems not concerned.
"It was the same development last year, Muslims were prevented from
doing their normal constitutional duty, our women were prevented from
going out for their normal duties for no just reason while the then
Caretaker Committee Chairman aided and abetted them.
A clergyman from one of the Pentecostal churches, called on the State government to rise to its responsibility while charging the security agencies not to treat the issue with kid gloves as it may lead to bloodletting.
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