The Nigeria police Command in Lagos State has prohibited practitioners from engaging in public processions or street marching to ensure safety, and protection of lives and properties.
The development was in response to reported violence and human rights violation cases recorded in some parts of the State recently.
The Command’s Public Relations officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin who disclosed this on Monday in a statement, also announced the restriction of all Egungun masquerade festival activities to designated masquerade outing points and venues of celebrations.
Hundeyin, explained that decision will help to protect and make 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 statement in part read, “To guarantee public safety and prevent further clashes between rival Egugun groups as currently being witnessed, and prevent damage to private and public properties as being reported in the last few days in some parts of Lagos State”.
The statement which urged practitioners to cooperate with the Police during this festival period, ensure compliance with the laws of the land, so as to sustain peace, law and order in Lagos State.
It further enjoined Egugun Masquerades, practitioners and supporters to strictly abide by these restrictions during the festival in the State.
“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 Egugun Masquerade and followers.
“The Command will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any Egungun Masquerade or their adherents and followers found in the disturbance of law and order, or in violation of fundamental human rights and dignity of human persons of the people of other religions or whose conducts are likely to cause breach of the peace anywhere in Lagos State”, according to the statement.
