Oluwatobi Adu 
OSOGBO, Nigeria – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified security measures ahead of the grand finale of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, urging residents, visitors and worshippers to remain vigilant and support efforts to ensure a peaceful celebration.
Osun State Commandant of the NSCDC, Igbalawole Sotayo, made the appeal on Thursday while outlining the command’s security arrangements for the annual cultural and spiritual festival, which culminates on August 7 at the UNESCO-listed Osun Sacred Grove.
Sotayo said the command had deployed specialised security personnel drawn from the Arms Squad, Crisis Management Department, Rapid Response Squad and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit to safeguard lives and property throughout the celebration.
“NSCDC personnel are drawn from the Arms Squad, Crisis Management Department, Rapid Response Squad, and the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit to secure lives and property throughout the event,” he said.
He noted that the corps is working closely with other security agencies under a coordinated security plan designed to provide adequate protection for residents, traditional worshippers, tourists and foreign visitors expected at the festival.
The commandant urged parents and guardians to monitor their children and discourage behaviours capable of disrupting public peace during the festivities.
He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to ensuring a safe and successful event.
The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival reaches its climax with the traditional Arugba procession, during which the votary maid carries the sacred calabash to the Osun River, a centuries-old ritual that continues to attract thousands of pilgrims, tourists and cultural enthusiasts from across the world.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 