Heavy security presence as Osun-Osogbo Festival begins

There is a heavy presence of security personnel at the Osun-Osogbo groove in Osogbo as the annual festival begins to come to a close at the River Osun bank on Friday.

News Men observed that armed policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, in their patrol vehicles, are stationed at the road leading to the ditch from Odi-Olowo, Osogbo.

There was the presence of armed security personnel at the entrance of the groove, while the police, Federal Road Safety, Departments of Security Service, and local vigilantes are all positioned within the groove.

Private security guards were also seen around the pavilion, where dignitaries and hosts of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the Ata-Oja of Osogbo, are expected to be seated.

A lot of devotees were spotted at the Osun River bank, fetching water, while others were seen saying their traditional prayers and performing other rituals.