A female TikTok creator at the centre of a viral storm surrounding the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival has broken her silence, denying claims that she recorded the sacred masquerade or died as a result of traditional backlash.
Speaking on Monday on Lagelu FM’s Ibi Aye N Lo programme, the creator, identified as Wasilat, refuted social media rumours surrounding her death and clarified that she only filmed security vehicles in the Oremeji area.
Rebuffing claims that she captured the revered figure, Wasilat maintained: “I am not dead. I did not capture the Oloolu masquerade. May I not be implicated; I did not record Oloolu.” She expressed dismay over the incident, adding, “I do not know why the eyewitnesses on Thursday did not defend me. I don’t know who came up with that agenda, but I know God will judge.”
However, traditional custodians and palace officials provided a different account of the events following the festival, which draws cultural enthusiasts and worshippers from across Yorubaland:
Chief Adeola Oloko, spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, clarified that while she did not film Oloolu directly, she mistook Alawo Oloolu, an associated traditional figure, for the main masquerade. Confirming details from the family compound, Oloko noted, “She did not capture Oloolu; she mistook it for Alawo.”
Oloko revealed that after uploading the video, the woman suffered health issues, stating, “After posting it, she realised the blood in her body began to dry.” He added that her family sought intervention, leading to traditional remedies being performed in line with local custom, noting, “Women are not supposed to see Oloolu, but out of curiosity, she disobeyed.” Oloko was, however, unable to confirm online reports that she had disguised herself as a man.
Local content creator Ayo Adams, who visited the Oloolu compound on Monday morning, confirmed the creator was alive and receiving care. Adams reported that police assisted the family in bringing her to the compound for necessary rites, where she was seen dressed in red, with a shaved head, participating in cleansing rituals involving traditional offerings at the Ogun shrine, before reuniting with her family to recover.
The initial reports of the incident, accompanied by widely circulated videos showing the cleansing rites and a family plea for mercy, had sparked intense debate online before the creator’s public clarification.