TikTok user claims she was allegedly forced to say she became ill after filming Oloolu masquerade

A TikToker, Wasilat Olalere, has alleged that she was forced to falsely claim she became ill after filming the revered Oloolu masquerade in Ibadan.

According to her, she never actually recorded the masquerade but only filmed security operatives and residents gathered ahead of its annual outing before uploading the video to TikTok. She said she later deleted the clip after being asked to take it down.

Olalere claimed that after deleting the video, men allegedly linked to the Oloolu traditional institution took her away, saying she was wanted over the post. She alleged that after she was released from police custody, she was taken for traditional rites, where she and her family were made to provide items, including a goat, red cloth and blade.

She further alleged that she was made to record a video claiming she had fallen ill after filming the masquerade and had undergone cleansing, insisting that the statement was not true and that she had not experienced any unusual illness.

Reacting to the allegations, the Family Secretary of the Oloolu masquerade maintained that Olalere was not assaulted and voluntarily sought the traditional rites after admitting she had violated longstanding cultural norms. He also denied allegations of physical abuse and insisted the rites were carried out with her family’s knowledge.