Ahead of the 2023 Eid-el-Kabir festival, the Ogun State police said they have granted Muslims in the state permission to slaughter rams.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Omotola Odutola, read that “the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters had “granted permission” to the slaughtering of rams only, not killing, shooting.”
Odutola stated that the permission granted Muslims during the festival included “division of labour to cooking, and friendly coexistence, and the expectant long wait of the cooked pot of jollof rice and condiments,” saying “anything short of that will incur the wrath of the Law.”
According to her, adequate security would be deployed at all prayer grounds so as “to ensure polite and firm screening of ingress and egress of persons, vehicles, and luggage, at various official lecture venues.”
While saying there will be crack policemen to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations, Odutola disclosed that “anyone or group that has planned to foment trouble does that at his or their peril, and at the detriment of his, or their peace.”
He admonished Ogun residents to enjoy the festivity, warning them to stay clear and avoid disturbances, or offending the public.
As the command felicitates all Muslim faithful on the occasion, Odutola said “both Muslims and Christians have continued to celebrate this Sallah over the years, sharing in the big pot of Ram and rollof rice, thanking God for the year, and a successful Hajj operation.”
She assured that there will be effective crowd control at parks and picnic centres, saying “security personnel will man the houses of notable Islamic clerics, political leaders, traditional rulers, and top government officials during and after the celebration.”
Odutola added that police and other sister agencies would be seen patrolling the state, and there would be reasonable stop-and-search only where it becomes necessary as a last resort in cases of suspicion.
“Indigenes are enjoined to use the control room telephone 09159578888 or 08081770416 toll free line during and after the celebration and report anyone suspected of disrupting the peace and tranquility anywhere.
“Flashpoints will be taken over by all security personnel, except plain clothes detectives, as the command is not leaving any stone unturned.
“Ogun people, please go about your celebrations and do not panic about any form of imminent danger,” she said