A woman in Ibadan, Nigeria, alleges she was subjected to a forced ritual, extorted N400,000, and had her hair shaved after posting a TikTok video about the Oloolu masquerade, which she denies filming. The incident has sparked debate over cultural practices and alleged intimidation.
Wasilat, a TikTok creator from Ibadan, claims she was arrested, taken to a shrine, and forced to undergo traditional rites after posting a video showing security operatives and people near her home. She alleges that she was made to pay ₦400,000 and subjected to humiliation, including having a goat’s blood poured over her body. The video, which she says was taken from her room, was uploaded with the caption Ololu is Around,
intended to warn others away from the area.
The Allegations and the Ritual
Wasilat described being approached by men who accused her of owning the TikTok account and demanded she delete the video. She claims they later involved police, leading to her arrest. They said I must follow them because Olubadan ordered my arrest. They threatened that I would be imprisoned,
she alleged. After being bailed, she was taken to Ode Aje, where she was forced to undergo traditional rites, including having a goat slaughtered and its blood poured on her. They put the goat on my head and took me to Ogun shrine. They ordered me to remove my clothes, and I obeyed because I had no choice,
she said.
During the ritual, Wasilat claims she was made to lie about falling ill after seeing the Oloolu masquerade. They told me to lie in the video that after seeing the Oloolu masquerade, I became sick and that the ritual was to cure me,
she said. She denied any illness, stating, Nothing was wrong with me. They forced me to say I was bleeding from my ears and my private parts. Those were all lies.
The ritual also involved shaving her hair, with her family required to provide a goat, red cloth, and a blade.
Conflicts with Traditional Authorities
Chief Adeola Oloko, spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, denied Wasilat’s claims, stating she did not film the Oloolu masquerade itself but mistakenly captured Alawo Oloolu, a related figure. She did not capture Oloolu; she mistook it for Alawo,
Oloko said. He added that her family sought traditional appeasement after her video, leading to the ritual. After posting it, she realised the blood in her body began to dry. So her family reached out to the Oloolu people immediately, and they attended to her in accordance with the tradition of the land,
he explained.
However, Wasilat’s account contradicts this. She alleged that the ritual was not voluntary and that the Oloolu custodians extorted money. They eventually collected ₦400,000 from my husband,
she claimed. The family secretary of the Oloolu masquerade, Oluwo Ishola Akeem, denied claims of coercion, stating Wasilat voluntarily came for the rites after admitting wrongdoing.
He also dismissed reports that she disguised herself as a man to record the procession, calling them accounts on social media.
Social Media Reactions and Legal Questions
However, the case remains unresolved, with conflicting narratives from both the accuser and traditional authorities.
Wasilat’s case highlights tensions between cultural practices and individual rights, raising questions about accountability in traditional institutions.
Keep reading
