AgegePulse Magazine
Followng the arrest of masqurades by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi at Elere area of Agege on October 3, 2017, Olu Agege, HRM Oba Kamila Isiba has cleared the air on the obscurity surrounding the residence of the masquerades.
Speaking recently at his palace, the highly revered monacrh unequivocally claimed that the arrested masquerades are not in a way related to Agege traditional circuits adding that his research has shown that they are from Ojokoro LCDA of Lagos.
You recall that the incumbent Lagos State Commissioner, Mr. Imohimin Edgal allegedly accused the suspected Masquerades of extortion, breakdown in the peace, law and order of state when they were arrested around Agege community.
Also, the masquerades attempted to attack a policeman when they were arrested.
Imohimin had said the masquerade and its accomplice were detained and arrested after a call from the public that unknown people and masquerades were disrupting the peace of the land at Elere area of Agege adding that the force acted swiftly.
However, Olu Agege, HRM Oba Kamila Isiba expressed gross disappointment at the action of the force claiming insubordination on the part of the police.
"As a Traditional Ruler in Agege, my office was not contacted before and after the arrest by the Commissioner of Police and DPO of Elere Police Station. It was through family members of the arrested people who reported the case to my palace, that I was alerted to make a move for an investigation.
"Agege is a law abiding city and we would not support or condone any act of indiscipline, breakdown of law and order of the state. Anyone found guilty of extorting the public in the name of masquerade would face the full wrath of law.
He continued, "Our investigation has shown that the arrested masquerades are not from any of the Oloje family in Agege. They are from Ojokoro LCDA. Olu Agege revealed.
Oba Kamila Isiba explained that Masquerades (Egungun) are meant to spiritually clean the community; they dramatize through acting and miming of the robed priests, give messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators majorly during a festive period or death of family members of Masquerade and others.
Chairman, Oje Parapo, Lagos State, Chief Tajudeen Muyeeli, Oloponda of Agege, Chief kunle Ayinde, Oloponda Orile Agege, Chief Sarafa Balogun, Olorogun of Agege Kingdom, Alhaji Shakirudeen Olaku, Ashipa of Agege Kingdom among notable chiefs were present at the gathering.