The Lagos State Police Command has allayed fears of residents following apprehension making rounds on social media that females around Ikorodu area should stay indoors and refrain from moving around town on Tuesday, May 8 for the Oro Day festival.
In a statement jointly signed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal and the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, shortly after a meeting, the command blamed the report on mischief makers.
It, however, assured the women folk in the Ikorodu axis and other parts of the state of their safety and right to freedom of movement.
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making the rounds on the social media that the female gender is forbidden to be seen outside their homes or move around the town with effect from tomorrow 8/05/2018 being the day set aside as ORO DAY.
“In view of the above, the CP Lagos called for a meeting attended by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Palace Chiefs and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami,” the statement read.
During the meeting, Oba Shotobi noted that it was unthinkable for a man with his level of exposure to do or say anything that would be seen as discriminatory against the female gender.
He, however, acknowledged that the festival was an age-long tradition of the Ikorodu people which had been even before he was born.
The traditional ruler added that the festival would hold without denying the female folks their right to freedom of movement.
According to the statement, the police commissioner said the command would not tolerate any discriminatory tradition against the female gender.
He also noted the police would deal ruthlessly with anybody who hides under the guise of custom or tradition to cause trouble in the state.
Imohimi urged the women to go about their lawful business without hindrance, while the meeting ended with a joint press statement assuring the people of Ikorodu that the festival would be peaceful.
