Ibadan content creator claims she was compelled to perform traditional rites and make false statements after posting deleted TikTok clip.
A TikToker, Wasilat Olalere, has alleged that she was forced to falsely claim she became ill after recording the revered Oloolu masquerade in Ibadan, Oyo State, following the controversy surrounding a viral video she posted on social media.
Speaking during an interview with an Islamic cleric in a video that surfaced on Wednesday, Olalere denied seeing the Oloolu masquerade or suffering any mysterious illness. She explained that the TikTok video only showed security operatives and residents gathered in anticipation of the annual outing of the masquerade and that she deleted the post after receiving complaints.
Olalere alleged that shortly after removing the video, men she identified as members of the Oloolu traditional institution, popularly known as Sokoti, stormed her shop, threatened her and took her away. She claimed she was initially detained at Agungun Police Station before being released on bail, after which she was taken to another location to undergo traditional rites.
According to her, she and her family were instructed to provide items, including a goat, red cloth and blade, before she was subjected to a cleansing ritual. She further alleged that she was compelled to record a video claiming she became seriously ill after recording the masquerade and had voluntarily sought spiritual cleansing, insisting that the statements were false and made under pressure. She also alleged that her husband paid ₦400,000 during the process.
The controversy began after Olalere’s TikTok video allegedly showing the Oloolu masquerade circulated online, drawing criticism from custodians of the traditional institution, who argued that the masquerade is sacred and should neither be recorded nor publicly displayed.
Following the incident, another video emerged showing Olalere claiming she became ill after recording the masquerade and underwent traditional cleansing. However, she now maintains that the confession was made under duress.
Reacting to the allegations, the Family Secretary of the Oloolu masquerade, Oluwo Ishola Akeem, had earlier denied claims that Olalere was assaulted or forced to participate in the rites. He maintained that she voluntarily admitted violating longstanding cultural norms surrounding the masquerade and willingly underwent the traditional cleansing after consultations with her family. He also dismissed reports that she died after the ritual, insisting the exercise was conducted in accordance with tradition.