Traditionalists believed to be Sango and Oro worshippers on Saturday afternoon took over the funeral rites of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemo III, after the muslim prayers led by the Chief Imam of Oyo.
Alaafin died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti on Friday night.
After the prayers, his body was then taken back to the palace, where traditionalists held final rites for the king behind closed doors.
At the time of his death, the Alaafin was 83 years old and had been on the throne for over 50 years — he was the longest-reigning Alaafin.
Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971.
Yusuf Ayoola, head of the Oyomesi and Bashorun of Oyo, will take over the throne pending the installation of a new Alaafin.
Meanwhile, curfew has been announced in Oyo town.
Report says Oyo is currently a ghost town as the Alaafin would be finally buried at Bara – a place where past Alaafin are buried, midnight on Sunday.
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