Residents of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State are set to observe a seven-day midnight curfew as part of the annual Oro festival rites.
The curfew, scheduled to run daily from 12 midnight to 4 a.m., begins on Wednesday, July 30, and ends on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, announced the directive in a statement issued Monday, urging residents to comply for cultural and security reasons.
“The general public is hereby informed that there will be a daily Oro curfew across Ijebu Ode Local Government Area for seven consecutive days,” Alebiosu stated. “The curfew will be in effect daily from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. during this period. This restriction is in observance of traditional rites.”
The Oro festival, a significant cultural event in Yorubaland, is typically conducted by male initiates and often restricts movement—especially for women and non-initiates—during certain periods of the observance.
Reiterating the importance of the curfew, Alebiosu added, “All movement is strictly prohibited, and residents are strongly advised to remain indoors for their safety. We appeal to all residents, especially non-indigenes, to cooperate fully with this directive in respect for our customs and to maintain public order.”
However, the chairman did not clarify whether the curfew is linked to the passing of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.