The current Egungun festival is subject to limitations imposed by the Lagos State Police Command, which confine all associated activities to specified celebration locations and outing points.
According to the police, the instruction aims to protect property and lives while upholding the rights of all state-wide religious and cultural groups.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, made this announcement on Sunday.
The Lagos State Police Command officially declares that all Egungun masquerade festival activities will only be permitted at approved masquerade outing locations and celebration sites.
In order to protect lives and property, this directive forbids practitioners from participating in public processions or street marches. It also ensures that the rights of adherents and followers of other religious faiths and groups are not violated or harassed during the current Egungun Masquerade festivals, according to the statement.
Egungun masquerades, practitioners, and supporters are to strictly adhere to these restrictions in order to ensure public safety, prevent further clashes between rival Egungun groups as currently being witnessed, and prevent damage to private and public properties as reported in some parts of Lagos State in recent days.
“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 noted that the decision was made in response to recent reports of disturbances, property damage, and clashes between rival Egungun groups in various parts of the state.
A strong warning was also given by the command, underlining that anyone or any organisation discovered to be violating the instruction or disturbing the peace will face legal repercussions.
“Any Egungun Masquerade or their supporters and followers who are found to be disrupting law and order, violating the fundamental human rights and dignity of people of other religions, or whose actions are likely to cause a breach of peace anywhere in Lagos State will be subject to the full force of the law,” the Command said.
