Muslim/Masquerade Clash: Muslim Rights Activists Give Osun Govt, Police 7-Day Ultimatum To Arrest Traditional Worshipper, Esuleke, Others Over Alleged Attack

Following the attack allegedly launched on some Muslims by suspected masquerade worshippers in Osogbo, on Sunday, an Islamic group, Coalition of Muslim Rights Activists of Nigeria (COMRAN), Osun State chapter, on Monday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government and Police authority to as matter of urgency arrest and prosecute those perpetrated the attack.

Addressing press conference at the Correspondents’ chapel, Osogbo, Mallam Abdulganiyu Sahid Olaide, said that the traditional worshippers were led by Chief Kayode Idowu Esuleke , demanding for his immediate arrest .

Olaide who explained that Kamorudeen Islamic Society of Nigeria organised a special prayer for the Nation which was attended by members of the organisation across the state when Esuleke allegedly led other traditional worshippers to attack them.

He said during the attack, the leader of Kamorudeen Islamic Society of Nigeria, Iwo branch, Alhaji Moshood Salahudeen was shot dead while 12 others sustained gunshot injuries.

He said the police did not arrest Esuleke because they know he’s stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

The group threatened to demonstrate their capacity to defend and protect themselves within the ambit of law of the federal republic of Nigeria, if the government failed to do the needful.

“There is no gainsaying that this attack is a premeditated one, planned and clinically executed. And that is why there is no record of a single causality on the part of Masquerades worshippers.

“It should be placed on record that this is not the first time that Kamrudeen Society will be attacked by the masquerade worshippers.

“It happened in the year 2004, 2018 and now 2021. Each time the attack happened, we reported the matter to the police, arrest would be made, after some times, the suspects would be released.We bet it, this time around, the matter will be prosecuted to a logical conclusion.

“Almost 3hours into the prayer , commotion exchanged place with the hitherto peaceful environment of the mosque. Alas,the Society that was praying for Peace ended up being causalities as the Masquerades worshippers led by an Ifa Worshipper who is also APC Stalwart in Osun State ,Chief Kayode Idowu stormed the mosque and unleashed mayhem on the Islamic Faithful leaving One person dead and scores injured with various degres of gun wound, Mosque vandalised ,Vehicles destroyed and other properties of the society destroyed.

“The remains of the deceased, Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen is already deposited at the morgue of UNIOSUN TEACHING HOSPITAL and other people that are injured are presently receiving treatment at Uniosun Teaching Hospital,Osogbo and Osogbo Central Hospital,Osogbo.

“In line with Constitutional provision as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria(as Amended), the obligation to protect lives and properties of people is placed on the shoulder of the government, but unfortunately, government has failed to protect lives and properties of our members in this case, we herby make the following demands:

“Immediate arrest and prosecution of Chief Kayode Idowu Esuleke and others that participated in the gruesome murder of Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen.

“Governemnt should take over the management and Hospital bills of all the injured in hospital.

“All the properties vandalised must be taken care of.

“We give government 72 hours ultimatum to see to the above demands, ,otherwise ,we will demonstrate our capacity to “’DEFEND AND PROTECT OUR OURSELVES,OUR PROPERTIES AND OUR INTREST”’ within the ambit of Constitutional provision of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

However, Ifashola Esuleke, who escorted the masquerade said the procession was attacked by the Muslim worshippers, who attempted to unveil the deity.

He added that about five supporters of the masquerade were also injured during the crisis, including a youngboy that was stabbed in the stomach.

“We passed through the area peacefully to pray for a family member in the community and when we were returning, one of the worshippers, like it was their tradition, attempted to unveil the masquerade but was protected by it followers.

“Some of our people too were injured while those held hostage were later rescued by the Police and Agbekoya Association who escorted us to the area”, he added.

The Osun Police Command on Monday confirmed the death of one person during a clash between a masquerade and his followers and Muslim worshipers in Osogbo on Sunday.

According to Osun Police Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, many were also injured when Muslim worshipers , that were having their prayer in their mosque, got into a fight with the masquerades who took their procession past their mosque.

Opalola said though the cause of the fight could not be ascertained yet, she said the state Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, has, however, invited the two fighting group for a dialogue.

She also stated that some persons have been arrested in connection to the incident and that investigation was also ongoing on the development.