Kwara traditionalist dares Islamic clerics over vacation order

Aare Olomitutu Odo Gbogbo l’Agbo of Kwara State and Atayese Worldwide, Yeye Osunfunmilayo Ajile, has vowed not to abandon her traditional roots, declaring that “traditional religion is the first religion in Ilorin.”

She made this declaration after a confrontation with some Muslim clerics who stormed her residence and ordered her to vacate the area over her practice.

Fresh tension erupted in Ilorin on Monday, September 22, when a group of clerics from Oke Odo, Danialu, and Gaa Akanbi allegedly besieged her home.

A video of the incident, now circulating online, shows the clerics insisting that she relocate, while Ajile stood her ground, asserting her constitutional right to freedom of worship.

“They said they didn’t want me to practice traditional religion in that area and ordered me to relocate to Osun State. I told them I am from Ilorin and a bona fide daughter of the soil. I was born here, raised here, and I built this house here. Nobody can chase me away,” she told Saturday PUNCH.

Ajile alleged that the group, led by one Alhaji Yisa and another identified as Bureimo Eesu, attempted to assault her but left after throwing stones and insults.

She added that they recorded the encounter on their phones and later shared the footage online.

The priestess, who stated that she had lived in the house for over 11 years, added that her practice of traditional religion dated back to her childhood, having inherited it from her grandmother.

“This religion is our ancestral foundation. It was what was used to establish Ilorin and other Yoruba towns before foreign religions were introduced,” she said.

Ajile further claimed her worship had brought safety to the community.

“Before I started worshipping here, people drowned in the river while crossing. But in the past nine years, no such tragedy has occurred. People come here to pray and their requests are granted,” she explained.

She disclosed that she had reported the matter to Division A Police Station in Ilorin and was later referred to the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, which, according to her, promised to serve the clerics a formal letter.

Ajile, who expressed gratitude to Nigerians and traditionalists for their support, maintained that she had held her annual festivals peacefully in the community until now.

“I have contributed to the development of this community. These clerics who came to harass me are not even from here. They crossed the river just to make trouble,” she alleged.

Reiterating her resolve, she said, “I stood my ground because I have the constitutional right to practice any religion of my choice, as long as I don’t disturb others.”