HE Oloolu masquerade and some of his followers arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State in the course of the week were, on Friday, arraigned in court on a three-count charge of arms possession, assault and malicious damage.

The magistrate was reported to have imposed stringent bail conditions which the suspects could not meet and they were all taken to the Agodi prisons for remand, save for the only juvenile among them who was sent to a welfare home. The case has been adjourned till July 23.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has responded to the cries over the arrest of some supporters of Oloolu saying that it would not allow anyone to hide under religion or tradition to perpetrate criminality.

The Command also warned intending trouble makers to desist from such acts as it would not condone any act that would threaten public peace.

These were contained in a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mrs Olabisi Ilobanafor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who also said that the command had to wade into the Oloolu crisis as a result of several calls received on Tuesday, July 3 that the masquerade was being attacked by some suspected thugs at Popoyemoja area of the city.

The PPRO added that policemen from Mapo Division moved to the scene where the custodian of the Oloolu masquerade was rescued and rushed to a private hospital for treatment, as he was bleeding profusely.

She stated further that the Command was again inundated with calls from members of the public on Wednesday, July 4 that the masquerade and his followers were preparing to storm Popoyemoja area for reprisal attack, which made the police state headquarters to send a reinforcement team to join the one from Mapo Division.

“When the Oloolu and his followers stormed the place and saw the police, they quickly beat a retreat, but not before some of the followers were arrested with dangerous weapons, including a locally-made gun,” the statement read.

The Command pointed out that it was the constitutional responsibility of the police to protect lives and property as well as maintain law and order.

While saying that nobody died during the whole saga, contrary to some media reports, the Command also stated that the country permitted freedom of worship, hence nobody should prevent or interfere with the religious beliefs of others.

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