Yuletide: Osun Police ban street carnival to avert mayhem

Jeleel Olawale

The Osun State Police Command on Tuesday announced a ban on street carnivals during the festive season to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The Command noted that it had intelligence report which indicated that miscreants under the guise of street carnival planned to cause mayhem in the state.

A statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday however warned that the police would not tolerate street carnivals under whatever guise.

It also advised organisers of such event to hire halls or use gated compounds, while having their celebrations.

The statement further read in parts, “The Osun Police Command in its efforts to guarantee peaceful Christmas/New year celebration in the state is using this medium to advise members of the public, especially the youths that annual street carnivals are prohibited for this period.

“Intelligence available to the Command suggests that miscreants under the guise of street carnival plan to carry out mayhem, as such the Command is using this forum to inform the general public that street carnivals will not be tolerated in whatever form or guise.

“Therefore, all organisers of carnivals are enjoined to hire halls or use gated compounds to carryout/celebrate their festival.

“Parents/guardians are  equally warned to advise their children/wards to desist from any act that could jeopardize the peace of this season. Hence anyone caught or found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The Police subsequently enjoined people of the State to go about their lawful businesses and celebrations in peace.