The ancient town of Oyo was, on Saturday, painted red when eminent Nigerians besieged it to celebrate with the wife of Alaafin of Oyo, Olori Suliat Adeyemi, who clocked 60 years.
As early as 6.30am, all roads leading to the palace were condoned off by combined team of heavily armed security operatives, including soldiers, men of Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad [FSARS], regular policemen and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps [NSCDC].
Some invited guests, including journalists, had hectic time in getting access to the venue, held at Agbalakoko, inside the
palace, as they were subjected to untold hardships through rigours of questioning by the overzealous security operatives.
Two journalists, including our correspondent, who were invited to cover the event were harassed and almost beaten up by these stern-looking security agents.
The reporters were asked by the security agents, who keep vigil at the entrance of the event venue, for a pass before they could be allowed access into the event venue.
The journalists told the security agents that there were not given any pass, except the invitations, which were shown alongside with their identity cards.
Rather than exhibit diligence and sense of devotion, they pushed the two journalists aside and threatened to deal with them ruthlessly if they should speak again.
Disturbed by irrational behaviours of the security agents, our
correspondent shunned the warning and insisted that they must be allowed into the venue, as anything contrary amounted to infringement on their constitutional responsibilities.
One of the security agents retorted thus: “Dem dey hold press
conference inside? No be just celebration. You these journalists self, na wetin you wan poke nose inside. Haba. Dey look around now and write what you wan write outside”.
In spite of protests, the journalists were not allowed into venue of the event for coverage till it lasted.
