There will be restriction of movement in Ife from 4pm today and would past for the next seven days. This is as confirmed by the spokesperson for the chiefs.
Meanwhile, the burial rites which would herald the interment of the late monarch continued on Thursday as town criers from the palace moved round the town to enforce the chiefs’ order.
A resident, who witnessed the scene, said the town criers beat their gongs as they moved round, warning residents not to come out tomorrow because movement would be restricted to enable the chiefs to carry out the remaining rites.
The town criers, according to him, warned violators of the order to be ready to face the consequences of their action.
He said, “Around 9.30am some persons from the palace came to Oja Titun and started beating traders and driving away traders. They said the people knew the burial rites still continued but came out to dare them.
“They have shut down the market and they said the rites would continue for seven days.”
Speaking with newsmen, a resident said some palace messengers went round ordering traders to immediately close their shops and vacate the markets in compliance with the order.
At Sabo Market, which is mostly populated by non-indigenes, traders hurriedly being closed as the news of the closure order of markets reached the place.
Some residents expressed frustration at the way palace messengers flogged traders and those who crossed their path, saying they palace chiefs ought to have gone to the radio station to inform everybody that markets would be closed for seven days.
The announcement of movement restriction may confusion among those who were invited for the interdenominational service which would be held for the monarch before his remains would be interred at the palace.
The interment, would take place inside the palace, and it would only be witnessed by some traditional chiefs.
The gates of the Ooni’s palace were slightly opened when newsmen visited the place on Thursday, as sign to show that the Ooni had departed.
Workers were seen clearing the bush from Ife Junction to the main gate of the Obafemi Awolowo University on Thursday in preparation for the burial.
