The Benin Traditional Council has introduced new rules for visiting the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, citing security concerns and the need to preserve the dignity of the palace.
The measures are contained in a statement issued in Benin by the Secretary of the council, Frank Irabor, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
The statement reads in part: “The council has observed with concern that some individuals have continued to abuse His Royal Majesty’s hospitality and magnanimity by entering the Palace grounds without permission.
“Considering the prevailing security challenges, the Benin Traditional Council has deemed it necessary to regulate access to the Palace.”
“Visitors are now required to submit a written application and obtain prior approval before accessing the Palace.”
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It further stated that loitering and unauthorised movements within the palace had become strictly forbidden.
“An official Palace Access Pass will be issued to authorised persons and visitors, and the pass must be visibly displayed at all times within the Palace,” it added.
The council frowned on unauthorised access to the palace, adding that it would take necessary action against violators.
It warned that individuals or groups found without permits or approval within the Palace would face dire consequences.
“The public is advised to cooperate in preserving the traditions, dignity, and security of the Benin Kingdom,” the council stated.
The Council’s new security measure comes shortly after the palace took firm disciplinary action following what it describes as a serious breach of palace protocols during the visit to the Oba of Benin’s palace on March 6, 2026, by popular Nigerian streamer and content creator Habibullahi Abdullateef, widely known as Peller.
The council announced sanctions against several palace chiefs, staff members, and one of the Oba’s queens implicated in allowing unauthorised access and interactions during Peller’s tour of the historic Benin Palace.
The council, in a press statement, condemned the incident as a violation of the sanctity of the palace and the revered traditions of the Benin Kingdom.
The council has called for accountability to preserve the dignity of the monarchy, while emphasising that such breaches undermine the cultural integrity of the institution.
