A yet-to-be-identified female TikTok user has reportedly undergone traditional cleansing rites after allegedly filming a procession linked to the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident, which has gone viral on social media, sparked widespread reactions after videos surfaced showing the woman participating in cleansing rituals at the Oloolu compound.

Speaking with PUNCH Online on Monday, Chief Adeola Oloko, spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, clarified that the woman did not capture the sacred Oloolu masquerade itself, but rather filmed Alawo Oloolu, a figure associated with the tradition.

According to him, traditional custodians confirmed that the woman recorded the procession as it moved through parts of Ibadan.

“She did not capture Oloolu; she mistook it for Alawo. We contacted the Mogaji of the Oloolu compound, who confirmed that a woman filmed the procession on the street after mistaking Alawo for the main masquerade,” Oloko explained.

He further revealed that shortly after posting the footage online, the woman reportedly developed unusual health complications, prompting her family to seek intervention from traditional authorities.

“After uploading the video, she began experiencing strange health challenges. Her family immediately contacted the Oloolu custodians, who attended to her according to the customs of the land.

“We have consistently advised people to obey simple instructions. Women are not permitted to see Oloolu, but out of curiosity, she disregarded this rule,” he added.

Oloko, however, noted that he could not confirm claims circulating online that the woman disguised herself as a man to secretly film the procession.

Videos circulating online show what appears to be a public cleansing ceremony, with the content creator surrounded by traditional worshippers. She was seen with her head shaved, dressed in red garments and participating in ritual activities. Items reportedly used during the rites included giant African snails and a ram.

Some social media users also claimed that her mother publicly pleaded with traditional custodians for mercy on her behalf. Another clip suggested that a goat was slaughtered as part of the cleansing ritual.

An Ibadan-based content creator, Ayo Adams, shared an update on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he visited the Oloolu compound and confirmed that the woman is alive and recovering.

“This morning, we visited the Oloolu compound, and officials confirmed that the lady is alive. Last Thursday, she discreetly recorded the procession in the Oremeji area. By Friday, she reported health concerns to security operatives, linking them to her actions.

“The police later accompanied her and her family to the Oloolu compound, where the necessary rites were performed. She has since reunited with her family and is currently recovering,” Adams wrote.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, stated that he had no information on the incident, noting that it was not reported at any nearby police station.

The Oloolu Festival, celebrated annually by descendants of the Oloolu lineage, attracts traditional rulers, worshippers, and cultural enthusiasts from across Yorubaland. The event features prayers, rituals, sacrifices, drumming, dancing, and processions aimed at honouring ancestors and promoting peace, protection, and communal well-being.

Unlike many public masquerade festivals, the Oloolu tradition is governed by strict taboos, including restrictions on photographing or recording certain aspects of the procession.

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.