Tension briefly erupted in Ibadan on Tuesday morning after a team of police officers from Kwara State reportedly arrived in the city to arrest Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, an advocate of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the indigenous Yoruba religious and cultural tradition.
The attempted arrest, which occurred at Tani Olohun’s residence in the Ayegun Oleyo area of Ibadan, attracted the attention of residents, who reportedly came out in large numbers after becoming suspicious of the operation. Videos circulating online showed a confrontation between the officers and people in the neighbourhood, with some residents alleging that the men were attempting to abduct Tani Olohun and take him to Ilorin.
The situation subsequently drew the intervention of Yoruba activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, who arrived after members of Tani Olohun’s family and supporters reportedly contacted him. Igboho was seen speaking with officials over the telephone as the confrontation continued.
The intervention of residents and Igboho eventually prevented the officers from taking Tani Olohun away. However, the Oyo State Police Command later provided an official explanation, confirming that the officers were indeed members of the Kwara State Police Command and had travelled to Ibadan on official duty.
According to the Oyo Police Command, the officers were acting on a warrant of arrest issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin. The warrant was reportedly connected to allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace and followed an alleged failure by Tani Olohun to comply with conditions attached to an earlier bail granted by the court.
The Oyo Command, however, said its Commissioner of Police directed the Kwara officers to return to their base and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, where the alleged offence was said to have occurred. The command said the position was consistent with due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.
The development has also generated a strong reaction from the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fodhilatu Shaykh Imam Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, who condemned any attempt to disobey lawful orders issued by courts of competent jurisdiction.
Shaykh Bilaal stressed that no individual should obstruct security agencies from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities or treat valid judicial orders with impunity. He specifically expressed concern over allegations that Sunday Igboho obstructed police officers during the attempted arrest and called on the Oyo State Government, Federal Government, judiciary and legal community to ensure that all citizens respect the rule of law.
The Grand Chief Imam also urged the relevant authorities to investigate allegations concerning statements allegedly made by Tani Olohun on social media which Muslims considered defamatory, insulting or offensive to Islamic scholars, Muslims and sacred Islamic symbols.
He noted that Muslims hold the names and attributes of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Qur’an, the sanctuary in Makkah and other sacred symbols in profound reverence. Consequently, he said, any perceived attack on such symbols can be viewed by Muslims as an affront to their religious sensitivities.
Shaykh Bilaal nevertheless emphasised that disagreements involving religion must be addressed through peaceful and lawful channels, rather than confrontation, violence or retaliation. He urged the authorities to investigate the allegations and, where appropriate, invite Tani Olohun to answer questions concerning the reported statements.
He also appealed to religious leaders, traditional institutions and government authorities to exercise restraint and prevent the situation from developing into a wider religious or communal confrontation.
The incident has therefore placed renewed attention on the delicate balance between freedom of religious expression, respect for sacred beliefs, police enforcement powers, judicial authority and territorial jurisdiction.
As investigations and legal processes continue, the central issue remains clear: allegations of religious provocation should be addressed through the courts and established legal procedures, while security agencies must equally carry out their duties professionally and transparently.
For a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria, all sides have a responsibility to protect peace, respect lawful institutions and ensure that religious differences do not become a trigger for violence or division.
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