NIGERIA: Lagos Police Restrict Egungun Festival Activities To Designated Venues

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Lagos State Police Command has announced new restrictions on activities related to the ongoing Egungun masquerade festival.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin on Sunday, he commanded that all festival activities be confined strictly to designated masquerade outing points and approved venues of celebration.

The police emphasised that public processions and street marches by masquerade groups are prohibited.

According to the statement, the move is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, while also ensuring that the rights of adherents of other faiths and groups are respected.

He said: “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 command noted that the directive became necessary following reports of violent clashes between rival Egungun groups in parts of Lagos.

“The restriction is to guarantee public safety and prevent further clashes between rival Egungun groups as currently being witnessed,” the statement further read.

The Commissioner of Police urged festival organisers, masquerade groups, and community leaders to comply with the directive to ensure a peaceful celebration.