'We don’t use human beings for rituals in Ile-Ife' - Ife chiefs deny reports that Abobakun escaped

Ile-Ife chiefs have denied that the Sarun, otherwise known as Abobakun, was on the run to evade been buried with the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

They also denied that five people were missing during the Oro festival performed as part of the burial rites for the late monarch.


The chiefs, in separate interviews with journalists, said no one had ever been buried with a late king.

The Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who is the Head of Inner Chiefs, said, “No one was caught during the Oro festival, it is all lies. It has never been done in Ife land that somebody must be killed or buried with the Ooni.”

The Laadim Adimula of Ife and Secretary of Royal Traditional Council, High Chief Adekoye Odewole, also debunked the insinuation.

He said, “We don’t use human beings for rituals in Ile-Ife. We can use rams, goats or other animals, but not human beings.”