Islamic Group Cry Out Over Continuous Attacks By Oro Worshipers, Others In Ogun
Olajide Osoba, Abeokuta
The League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State chapter has cried out over incessant attack on Muslims and Mosques by traditionalists especially the Oro, Agemo, Eluku and Egungun worshipers in the state.
This was disclosed in a release made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The body expressed their displeasure and sadness over the continuous act in some parts of the state without any provocations, saying that they have not prevented them from practising their choice of religion.
According to the release, the situation in Ogun State is contrary to that constitutional provision, given plethora of attacks on Muslims by some traditional worshippers in many parts of the state at various times. We have it on records that, such unprovoked attacks by traditional worshippers have been on repeatedly in the last ten years.
It adds that the most recent occurrence happened in Ipokia , Ikenne, Iperu and some other area of Ogun State. In all the occurrences over the years, culprits have not been treated in a manner that could serve as deterrent to others.
” on July 29,2019. Oro Worshippers invaded various mosques within Ipokia Local Government area wielding dangerous weapons and charms with which they attacked Muslims who fled for their lives. Several properties were destroyed and many people suffered various bodily injuries”
The release also reads that despite the intervention of the leadership of League of Imam and Alfa in Ogun State, on September 8, 2019, the Pro Worshippers attacked Muslims in Ipokia, Tube and its environs, during daylight. It is worthy of note that the recalcitrant attitude of the Oniko of Ikolaje Oba John Oyekunle at the peace meeting emboldened the traditionalists for the subsequent attacks.
The body also claimed that Prior to these attacks, Muslims in Ijebu Ode and its environs have always been under fears and anxiety from the activities of Agemo Worshippers in daytime as illegal. The court also declared that Pro festival or ritual could only be celebrated between 12:am and 4:am.
”In the last three years, the Agemo festival which usually takes place between July and August in the area had imposed unnecessary restriction on Muslims from freely practicing their religious rite.
On October 22, 2019, the Eluku cultists attacked Zumuratul Mu’min Mosque in Amororo area of Iperu town while Muslims were preparing for the dusk, prayers inflicting severe bodily injuries on them and willfully destroyed properties within and around the mosque including vehicles parked within the vicinity of the mosque. Three Muslims suffered severe burns from the hot vegetable oil poured on them by the traditionalists while others sustained various degrees of injury during attack. Two of the injured Muslims are still at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State.
”We are highly disappointed in the Iperu Police station that have failed to make no arrest since the bad incident started. The league as a representative of the Muslim Umah in Ogun State views very seriously, all the above frequent and incessant attacks on Muslims in very many area of Ogun state. Such attacks have left seriously physiological and physiological damages not only on the individuals affected Andy their family members but also on the entire Muslim community.
The Muslims therefore appealed to the sate governor, prince Dapo Abiodun to allow justice to prevail.
We call on the responsive attention of the Ogun State Government to these recurrent attacks, despite a high court injunction Ipokia in 2018 that imposition of such curfews by the traditional worshippers during the daytime is illegal
