Toluwanisings burial row: wife and father agree to a ceasefire at Oyo police headquarters

The bitter public quarrel over the burial of gospel singer Toluwanisings may be heading for a quieter end, after the Oyo State Police Command brought the feuding sides together in Ibadan.

Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga summoned the singer's widow, Damilola, his father, Muniru Olayemi, his personal assistant and several friends and associates to the command's headquarters at Eleyele. Police say the commissioner first learned of the row on 28 October.

At the end of the meeting, every party put pen to paper on a written promise to keep the peace. Under it, they will no longer air claims or counter-claims about the dispute on social media, radio, newspapers or blogs, and will not use friends or agents to do so on their behalf. They also agreed not to speak to journalists about the matter.

Announcing the outcome on Tuesday, 3 November, police spokesman DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the aim was to calm tempers and let the matter be settled without further bitterness. He warned that anyone who breaks the law over the affair will be arrested and charged, and urged bloggers and members of the public to stop sharing unconfirmed claims.

Toluwanisings, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, led the Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry. His death was announced on 14 October, and since then his widow and his father's family have traded accusations online over arrangements for his burial.