Akure community on Monday celebrated the annual aheregbe festival with the popular Erekesan, cash-hold and Adedeji and Nepa markets shut.
Aheregbe, also known as DUDUDU is a traditional festival, commemorated mainly by the Paramount Ruler, The Deji and his chiefs, during which prayers are offered for the peace and progress of the ancient town.
Shops and Markets were shut during the celebration while young men popularly called “Palace Servants” and other well wishers will dance round the town
To mark this year’s Aheregbe festival, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo had ordered the closure of all markets in the ancient town.
A visit to erekesan, cash- hold and Adedeji markets in Akure showed total compliance with the Deji’s order as the three markets were totally deserted by both traders and buyers.
Traders at isinkan market, however, opened for business.
Security personnel were seen patrolling the city to prevent looting sprees and any form of hooliganism during the festival.