Osun Masqueraders, Muslims Reach Peace Accord Ahead of Egungun Festival

There is a truce between traditional worshipers and Muslims in Osun as the State’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Kehinde Longe, brokered a peace accord between the Chief Imam of the Kamaudeen Mosque, Osogbo, Alhaji Kasim Yunis, and the custodian of a masquerade, Chief Kayode Esuleke, as the annual Egungun masquerade is set to hold.

A statement was issued in Osogbo on Thursday, July 13 and signed by the command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed that the two men agreed to allow peace to reign during the festival during a meeting with the CP.

Members of the Kamaudeen Mosque and the followers of Esuleke masquerade are known for their dangerous clashes in the town, the last one being the bloody fight of Sunday, June 27, 2021, which led to the death of a member of the mosque, while nine others were injured.

To prevent such bloodletting encounters, Longe, who harped on the need to embrace peace at the meeting, also issued a warning that the command would not condone any act that could lead to a breach of public peace.

The statement further read, “The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Patrick K. Longe, held a strategic security meeting with the masquerade custodian, Pa Esuleke, and the Chief Imam of the Kamaudeen Mosque, Oke Baale, Osogbo, Alhaji Kasim Yunis.