“Our Members Are Under Attacks” – APTAN Accuses Ooni’s Palace Men Of Harassing Muslim Traders In Ile-Ife
… Demands Ends To Olojo Festival Levies
The Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, has accused some men allegedly representing the Palace of the Ooni of Ife of harassing Muslim traders and forcefully seizing their goods over refusal to pay levies tied to the Olojo Festival.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Adegoke Saidi, Secretary, Comrade Monsur Jimoh, and Welfare Officer, Comrade Banjo Isiaq, the group lamented that its members have been subjected to years of intimidation, extortion, and confiscation of goods in clear violation of their constitutional and religious rights.
According to APTAN, the latest incident occurred on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Ojatuntun Otisese Weekly Market, when three men identified as Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju, and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade stormed the market and carted away traders’ goods. Items taken included clothes, vegetable oil, and other commodities belonging to women traders who had refused to contribute to the festival.
The association stressed that compelling Muslims to support traditional religious events contradicts Islamic injunctions and breaches the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion under Section 38(1), as well as protection from unlawful seizure of property under Section 44(1).
Citing Qur’anic verses (6:162 and 5:2), APTAN reiterated that Muslims are forbidden from contributing to religious practices outside their faith and described the yearly harassment as an affront to both Islam and Nigeria’s democratic values.
While expressing high regard for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, APTAN said it believed His Majesty might not be aware of the actions, which it alleged were being coordinated by certain palace officials and the Babaloja of Odo-Ogbe, Chief Jimoh Olaoluwa Odeyemi.
“We are not rebels; we are contributors to the growth of Ile-Ife. Yet our members are constantly being attacked and stripped of their goods simply because they refuse to compromise their faith,” the statement read.
The group highlighted its contributions to the ancient city, including the introduction of tricycles through ALBARAKAH Microfinance Bank, artisan training, community services, and an upcoming free medical caravan scheduled for October 26, 2025.
APTAN has therefore called on the Ooni to urgently intervene to stop the extortion, restore dignity to the throne, and protect the rights of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife. It also appealed to the Sultan of Sokoto, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and all Islamic organisations nationwide to rally in defense of its members.
“Our demands are simple: stop the harassment, return seized goods, and respect our right to practice our faith without coercion,” the statement concluded.