Residents of Idiroko, a border town in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, have expressed concern over what they described as a brewing religious crisis, urging the state government and security agencies to investigate those stirring unrest.

DAILY POST reports that the crisis, which is rooted in longstanding opposition to the day time curfew imposed in connection with the community’s annual Oro festival, had previously led to clashes and was eventually taken to court.

In 2017, Justice S.M. Owodunni of the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ipokia ruled that the day time curfew was unconstitutional and a violation of citizens’ rights.

He ordered that the Oro festival rituals must be restricted to between midnight and 4:00 am.

However, in July 2025, the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State accused Oro worshippers of violating the court order by allegedly imposing a daytime curfew during the burial rites of the late Oniko of Ikoland, Oba John Adekunle.

In a petition dated July 24 and addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Muslim leaders described the action as an infringement on fundamental human rights and called for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

On Thursday, religious, ethnic, and community leaders, including representatives of the Hausa and Igbo communities, women, and youth groups, jointly addressed a press conference at the town’s palace, calling for an end to the crisis.

The community spokesman, Taiwo Obanla, stated that the situation has tarnished the image of Idiroko, blaming it on those he described as religious extremists.

Obanla claimed that the Oro worshippers had since adjusted their practices to comply with the court ruling by conducting rituals only at night, expressing worry that the alleged extremists are pushing to eradicate the traditional Oro practice in the community.

He called on the government and security agencies to investigate those stirring unrest, accusing them of spreading misinformation and having “questionable intentions”.

“These people are not indigenes of this town. How can outsiders come here and try to erase our centuries-old traditions and culture?

“They are painting Ikolaje Idiroko in a bad light. We are appealing to the government to act before this escalates into violence. Many of them do not even have legitimate means of livelihood,” Obanla said.

The Balogun of Ikoland, High Chief Daniel Olusola Edun, described Idiroko as a peaceful land, warning that any attempt to disrupt its peace would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Ikolaje Idiroko, Tajudeen Okeojo, called for harmony among all religious groups, disclosing that past community leaders — including his predecessors — worked closely with the Oro worshippers to ensure peace, often agreeing to exempt Fridays and Sundays from curfews so Muslims and Christians could worship freely.

Religious conflict: Ogun border town urges Abiodun, Police to avert looming crisis