Oyo govt joins masquerades in special prayer for Oriire abductees’ release

The Oyo State Government has joined a special prayer session organised by the Ibadan Labala Masquerades Group for the safe release of the abducted victims of Oriire Local Government Area of the State.

The prayer, approved by the President of the Labala Masquerades Group Worldwide, Ojeyemi Ajayi (Idunnu Ifa), was held at the Labala Shrine, Labo Area of Ibadan, the State Capital.

The essence of the prayer, according to the group, is to offer traditional prayers and sacrifices on behalf of the State for the safe return of the abductees and the restoration of peace and security in the State under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.

Representing the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism at the event, Kunle Agboola, the General Manager of the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, commended the group’s sense of compassion, patriotism, and concern for the well-being of the victims and the state at large.

He noted that although several groups and individuals had organised prayer sessions since the unfortunate incident occurred, the gesture by the Ibadan Labala Masquerades Group was particularly commendable because it demonstrated a strong partnership with the government in addressing societal challenges.

Agboola said, “Thank you for partnering with the government in this challenging moment in our state. Your efforts will not be in vain. We believe that the prayers and sacrifices offered today will yield positive results and that the abductees will soon reunite with their families. Many groups have organised prayers concerning this incident, but I sincerely appreciate your invitation to the government to participate in this unique spiritual exercise.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Oosakola Oladejo, the Balogun Baale Labala of Ibadan and Oyo State, explained that a special sacrifice had earlier been carried out privately for the abductees. He added that the prayer walk organised by the group across selected locations in Ibadan was aimed at seeking divine intervention for the victims’ safety, warding off death, and praying for an end to kidnapping and insecurity in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

Several spiritual leaders of the Labala Masquerades Group offered prayers during the event, including the Otun Balogun Baale Labala of Ibadan and Oyo State, Ojediran Olalekan, among others.

After the prayer sessions at the shrine, attendees at the programme led by Labala masquerades embarked on a prayer walk from the Labala Shrine through the Labo Oranyan area, Wesley College, Oba Asanke Street, Idi-Aro Junction, and back to the shrine.