Ooni of Ife Suspends Carnival, Bans Hard Drugs and Cultism to Restore Peace

In a decisive move to safeguard peace and order in Ile-Ife, the revered Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has announced the indefinite suspension of the annual Carnival along with all Tarmac-related activities across Ile-Ife and its environs.

This landmark decision followed an emergency meeting convened on Thursday at the Ile Oodua Palace, where top palace chiefs voiced their commitment to restoring tranquility. Speaking on behalf of the Ooni, the Obalufe of Ife, His Highness Idowu Adediwura, and the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Kola Adeyeye, unveiled a stringent series of measures targeting long-standing security concerns.

Central to the new directives is a comprehensive ban on hard drugs such as Colorado, the illicit sale of roadside alcohol in sachets, and Indian hemp. The palace leadership emphasized that offenders, along with the heads of their households, would face immediate arrest and prosecution. The chiefs also condemned the extortion tactics reportedly employed against building sites and property developers, declaring such acts of thuggery intolerable.

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In efforts to quash criminal gangs and violent cultism, the Ooni’s representatives decreed a total prohibition of cult-related activities, stressing that no influential person shall interfere with law enforcement actions against violators. The use of the Tarmac area by thugs has also been outlawed, with local security agencies mandated to arrest trespassers promptly.

Parents and guardians were implored to guide and caution their children against involvement in criminal behaviors, highlighting the collective responsibility in maintaining peace.

ACP Sola Ogunwale, the Area Commander of Police in Ife, applauded the palace for its firm stance and assured the public that law enforcement agencies would uphold these new directives unwaveringly.

The emergency meeting also saw the presence of Divisional Police Officers, officials from the Department of State Services (DSS), and key palace functionaries including Emeses, Looguns, and Ogungbe, all aligning to support the Ooni’s vision for a safer, drug-free, and peaceful Ile-Ife.

This bold initiative underscores the Ooni’s ongoing commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the preservation of the ancient city’s sacred heritage.