Security agents have begun enforcing the curfew in Or me city while the traditionalists began the last funeral procession for the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Announcements had previously been made in the afternoon that the final burial ritual would take place at 9 p.m., but the curfew would apply from 7 p.m.
The burial procession is expected to pass through the Akesan market through the Oke Apo and Ajagba areas before stopping at Bara, considered to be the abode of the deceased Alaafins.
However, traditionalists and royals told PREMIUM TIMES that the monarch will not be buried at Barca. Instead, some rites will be performed and the remains will be returned to the palace for the final rituals.
“All the Alaafin were buried in the palace,” said one royal.
Sango’s devotees, who had earlier seized the monarch’s remains, were pouring out to the front of the palace, called Oju Abata, as security officers patrolled to enforce curfew before the procession begins.
Besides Sango devotees, others with an important role to play in the Alaafin burial are traditional groups such as ‘Ibe Tetu’, ‘Ona Ile Mole’ and ‘Ona On’se Awo’.
Alaafin Adeyemi died on Friday night at the age of 83. He had ruled for 51 years, the longest for any Alaafin.