By Our Reporter
A young female TikTok content creator at the centre of the controversy surrounding the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, has denied filming the sacred Oloolu masquerade, insisting that she neither recorded the revered traditional figure nor died, contrary to widespread claims on social media.
Speaking during a telephone interview on Ibi Aye N Lo, a programme on Lagelu FM hosted by Adesoye Omotosho on Monday, the content creator, identified as Wasilat, refuted allegations that she recorded the Oloolu masquerade and dismissed rumours that she had died.
“I am not dead. I did not capture the Oloolu masquerade. May I not be implicated; I did not record Oloolu,” she said.
Recounting the events that led to the controversy, Wasilat explained that she had gone to her family’s shop in the Oremeji area last Thursday after feeling an unusual urge to visit, despite initially being at home.
According to her, she did not open the shop but remained outside when she noticed people passing by, including an Amotekun security vehicle.
She maintained that the Oloolu masquerade did not pass through the route where she was standing.
“So I filmed it and posted it on social media. Everyone in the TikTok comment section asked me to delete it. The following day, while I was at the shop, they came to meet me there.
“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,” she added.
The controversy erupted after reports claimed the TikToker narrowly escaped death for allegedly recording a procession associated with the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival. Videos later surfaced online showing her undergoing traditional cleansing rites at the Oloolu compound, fuelling speculation about her condition.
However, the spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adeola Oloko, clarified that the woman did not record the sacred Oloolu masquerade but mistakenly filmed Alawo Oloolu, a figure associated with the Oloolu tradition.
“She did not capture Oloolu; she mistook it for Alawo. We contacted the Mogaji of the Oloolu compound, and he confirmed that a woman who mistook Alawo of Oloolu for the real Oloolu masquerade captured it on the street,” Oloko said.
He further disclosed that after the video was uploaded, the woman reportedly developed unusual health challenges, prompting her family to seek intervention from the custodians of the Oloolu tradition.
“After posting it, she realised the blood in her body began to dry. So her family reached out to the Oloolu people immediately, and they attended to her in accordance with the tradition of the land.
“We have told people to obey simple instructions; women are not supposed to see Oloolu, but out of curiosity, she disobeyed,” he stated.
