Security men drawn from the police, civil defense, state service and military formations in Kwara State were on guard at Yemoja River in Oko Olowo area of Ilorin to prevent security breach in the state.
The river was the initial venue of the botched celebration of the Isese festival by the traditional worshippers.
The operatives were drafted to the spot to prevent a clash between the traditionalists and the Muslims ahead of the celebration of the World Isese Day slated for Monday.
Islamic leaders had rejected the decision to celebrate the event in the Muslim dominated five local governments that make up Ilọrin Emirate.
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Although the security men were on alert guiding the river, neither the traditionalists nor the Islam adherents were sighted by our correspondent for several hours during a visit.
Speaking with journalists at the Yemoja River site, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ebbunoluwarotimi Adelesi who led the operation said the heavy presence of security operatives was to keep peace and protect the lives of the people and their properties.
“The security men are here to maintain peace, we are not here to deprive anyone of his or her fundamental human rights. They have been drafted to this place since yesterday to protect the people of the state.
“We have to be at alert as a result of what the two sides are saying. We cannot allow the security and peace of the state to be breached. Kwara State is the state of harmony,” she said.
The police command had earlier advised the traditionalists to stay away from Kwara and relocate the celebration to other states, a decision that was reiterated by the Muslim community in Ilọrin.
The police had said the security report did not favour holding the Isese festival in Ilọrin as initially declared by the International Council of Ifa/Orisa Religions (ICIR).
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