In Osun: Police Avert Another New Zealand Episode, As Assailants Trail Muslim Worshippers

By adeyink Aremu, Osogbo

Police in Osogbo, Osun State capital have averted what could have been another New Zealand episode with the arrests of assailants who trailed Muslim worshippers with guns as they approached the mosque in the early hours of Wednesday.

Different worshippers at Halleluyah Estate in Osogbo said their vigilance prevented a likely disaster as gunmen trailed them on their way to the mosque.

One of the faithful, Alhaji Lukman who made distress call to his relatives to seek help realised his brothers also faced similarly experience and were being trailed.

“We came out from their different homes and while going to the mosque for the Subuh (early morning prayer), some gun-bearing men trailed and tried to shoot us.”

The suspect, Abdullah Azeez who was arrested with a gun claimed to be a night watch from a nearby Adedapo Estate. He said he was employed by one Mr Lukman, who was also invited by the police for interrogation.

However, Mr AbdulWaheed Olaniyi, a resident of Halleluyyah Estate who spoke with the our Correspondent said the landlords association in the area did not engage any night guard and wondered why unknown vigilante members will be harassing or trailing worshippers on their way to the mosque.

“We don’t want any New Zealand episode in our area. We know how we police our Estate. We have our internal arrangement. So we are surprised to see intruders who claimed to be night guards”.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, Folasade Odoro while commenting said, “On getting the wind of the incident, The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Abu Mustapha quickly mobilised policemen from the Dada Estate Police Divisional Headquarters.

“Policemen arrived at the scene promptly and one of the gunmen was arrested with a gun recovered from him.”

Odoro said the suspect was taken to Dada Estate police station for interrogation.