The Lagos State Police Command has announced restrictions on the ongoing Egungun festival, limiting all related activities to designated outing points and specific celebration venues.
The directive, according to the police, aims to safeguard lives and property while respecting the rights of all religious and cultural groups within the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the state Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday.
“The Lagos State Police Command hereby announces the restriction of all Egungun masquerade festival activities to designated masquerade outing points and venues of celebrations only. This directive prohibits practitioners from engaging in public processions or street marching to ensure safety, and protection of lives and properties, and also protects and makes sure that the rights of the adherents and followers of other religious faiths and groups are not infringed upon or molested during the current Egungun Masquerade festivals,” the statement read.
The command noted that the decision came in response to recent reports of disturbances, property damage, and clashes between rival Egungun groups in various parts of the state.
To guarantee public safety and prevent further clashes between rival Egungun groups as currently being witnessed, and prevent damage to private and public properties as being reported in the last few days in some parts of Lagos State, Egungun masquerades, practitioners, and supporters are to strictly abide by these restrictions.
“They are also required to inform the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command and apply for police security ahead of the coming out of the Egungun masquerade and followers,” the statement added.
The command also issued a stern warning, emphasising that legal actions will be taken against any individual or group found breaching the directive or disrupting public order.
“The Command will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any Egungun Masquerade or their adherents and followers found in the disturbance of law and order, or in violation of fundamental human rights and dignity of human persons of the people of other religions or whose conduct is likely to cause breach of the peace anywhere in Lagos State.”