The leader of the Obatala adherents, Oba Isoro O. Dada, the leader of the Obatala adherents in Ile-Ife in a statement had advised residents of the areas where the procession would pass through to respect the curfew and stay indoors for the benefit of the town. “This is a special announcement for all dwellers of Ile-Ife, Oro Owa-Ilare festival that will commence on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. “The Oro will begin exactly at 2pm and end at 7pm.
recalled that Muslims and Oro adherents in Ile-Ife have endured a frosty relationship in the past which often degenerated into violence. On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Abdullateef Adediran, an Islamic cleric and five worshippers who had gathered for 4pm prayers at Ilare Mosque in Ile-Ife, were injured during violent clashes involving them and some Oro adherents, who were passing through the neighbourhood where the mosque was located.