The TikTok content creator at the centre of the controversy surrounding this year’s Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, has broken her silence, denying claims that she recorded the revered Oloolu masquerade or died after the incident.
Speaking during a telephone interview on Ibi Aye N Lo, a programme on Lagelu FM hosted by Adesoye Omotosho on Monday, the woman, identified as Wasilat, insisted she never captured the sacred masquerade and described reports linking her to its recording as false.
“I am alive. I did not record the Oloolu masquerade, and I pray I am never falsely accused of doing so,” she said.
According to her, the incident occurred last Thursday when she unexpectedly visited her family’s shop around the Oremeji area despite initially remaining at home.
She explained that she never opened the shop but stayed outside, where she noticed people moving around and an Amotekun security vehicle passing through the area. She maintained that the Oloolu masquerade did not even pass through that route.
Wasilat said she simply recorded what she saw and uploaded the video to TikTok, after which several users urged her to delete the clip. She added that traditional representatives later traced her to the shop the following day.
She also expressed disappointment that those who witnessed the incident did not defend her against accusations circulating online.
“I don’t know why people who were there couldn’t speak up for me. I don’t know who started the false narrative, but God will judge,” she added.
The controversy followed widespread social media reports claiming the TikToker narrowly escaped death after allegedly filming the sacred masquerade. Videos later surfaced online showing her participating in traditional cleansing rites at the Oloolu compound, fuelling further speculation.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adeola Oloko, clarified that Wasilat did not record the Oloolu masquerade itself. Instead, he said she mistakenly filmed Alawo Oloolu, a figure associated with the Oloolu tradition.
According to Oloko, the Mogaji of the Oloolu compound confirmed that the woman unknowingly captured Alawo Oloolu while he was moving along a public road.
He further explained that after the video was posted online, the woman reportedly developed unusual health complications, prompting her family to seek help from the traditional custodians, who performed rites in line with local customs.
Oloko reiterated that women are traditionally forbidden from seeing the Oloolu masquerade and urged residents to respect cultural instructions. However, he said he could not confirm social media claims that Wasilat disguised herself as a man to secretly film the procession.
Videos circulating online showed the content creator taking part in what appeared to be traditional cleansing rituals. She was seen with a shaved head, dressed in red attire and surrounded by traditional worshippers. Other clips showed animals reportedly presented as part of the prescribed rites, while social media users alleged her mother pleaded with traditional leaders on her behalf.
Meanwhile, Ibadan-based content creator Ayo Adams, who visited the Oloolu compound, said officials confirmed that Wasilat was alive and recovering.
According to him, she later complained of health challenges after recording the crowd linked to the festival. He said security operatives accompanied her and her family to the Oloolu compound, where traditional rites were conducted before she reunited with her family.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the police had no official record of the incident, noting that no report was lodged at any police station.
The annual Oloolu Festival is one of Ibadan’s major traditional celebrations, attracting traditional rulers, worshippers and cultural enthusiasts from across Yorubaland. The event features prayers, sacrifices, drumming, dancing and processions aimed at honouring ancestors while seeking peace, protection and prosperity for the community.
Earlier, the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland released the official movement schedule for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, outlining the communities visited between July 28 and July 30.
