Isese: Kwara CP, Operatives Keep Vigil At Yemoja River

• Security forces were stationed at Yemoja River in Ilorin to prevent clashes between traditionalists and Muslims ahead of World Isese Day celebrations
• The heavy security presence aimed to ensure peace and protect lives and property while addressing concerns from both sides

Security personnel from Kwara State’s police, civil defense, state service, and military formations were stationed at the Yemoja River in the Oko Olowo area of Ilorin to prevent a security breach in the state.

The river was the initial site of the traditional worshippers’ botched celebration of the Isese festival.

The operatives were dispatched to the scene to prevent a clash between traditionalists and Muslims ahead of the World Isese Day celebrations on Monday.

Islamic leaders had objected to the decision to celebrate the event in the five Muslim-majority local governments that comprise the Ilrin Emirate.

Despite the fact that security guards were patrolling the river, neither traditionalists nor Islamists were seen by our correspondent for several hours during a visit.

Speaking to journalists at the Yemoja River site, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ebbunoluwarotimi Adelesi, who led the operation, said the heavy presence of security operatives was to maintain peace and protect people’s lives and property.

The security men are here to maintain peace, we are not here to deprive anyone of his or her fundamental human rights. They have been drafted to this place since yesterday to protect the people of the state.

We have to be at alert as a result of what the two sides are saying. We cannot allow the security and peace of the state to be breached. Kwara State is the state of harmony, she said.

The police command had previously advised traditionalists to avoid Kwara and relocate the celebration to other states, a decision that the Muslim community in Ilrin reiterated.

The police had stated that the security report did not support holding the Isese festival in Ilrin, as the International Council of Ifa/Orisa Religions (ICIR) had initially declared.