As final preparations intensify for the grand finale of the 2025 Osun-Osogbo International Festival slated for this Friday, security agencies in Osun State have stepped up operations to ensure a safe and hitch-free celebration of the globally acclaimed cultural event.
In a major security deployment, the Osun State Amotekun Corps has announced the dispatch of 500 operatives to strategic locations across Osogbo and other festival-related venues.
The Corps’ spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that Commandant Adekunle Omoyele had activated comprehensive security measures to safeguard lives, property, and the sanctity of the revered celebration.
Commandant Omoyele emphasized that Amotekun operatives would be positioned at all major routes, festival grounds, and public convergence points. He assured that the team would engage in both overt and covert operations to maintain public order and prevent any breach of peace.
“The Osun-Osogbo Festival is not only a cultural celebration but also a globally recognized event that highlights the richness of our heritage. We will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace or sanctity of this revered occasion,” Omoyele stated.
He further issued a strong warning to individuals or groups planning to disrupt the festivities, noting that any attempt to commit criminal or disruptive acts would be met with the full force of the law. He also urged participants and residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities promptly.
In a related development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has also deployed a robust security team comprising personnel from the arms squad, crisis management department, rapid response unit, and SWAT division.
Speaking on behalf of the command, spokesperson Kehinde Adeleke assured the public of their readiness to manage the influx of visitors expected during the festival and to prevent any form of disorder.
“We are aware that there is going to be an influx of people into the state because of the festival, and we have made adequate security arrangements,” Adeleke affirmed.
She added that the NSCDC was working in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a smooth and peaceful event, while calling on the public to actively support security efforts by remaining alert and reporting any irregularities.
“The work of security should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone. That is why we call on all residents and participants to say something when they see something,” she noted.
Adeleke also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against engaging in acts capable of breaching public peace, warning that offenders would face appropriate sanctions.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage event in 2005, is a centuries-old annual celebration held in the Sacred Osun Grove on the outskirts of Osogbo. It attracts thousands of devotees, cultural tourists, and traditional religion adherents from across Nigeria, Africa, and the global diaspora.
With security now heightened across the city and surrounding areas, the state government and stakeholders are optimistic about hosting a peaceful and memorable edition of the iconic cultural celebration.