The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo, alongside three other individuals, following the death of a car painter, Najeem Hammed, who was reportedly lynched by worshippers.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, later triggered a protest by the deceased’s family members, who disrupted the Jumu’ah prayer at the mosque.
Najeem, whose workshop is located in the Jaye area of Osogbo, was said to have arrived at the mosque around 6 a.m. to observe prayers when the altercation occurred.
A source at the mosque, who requested anonymity, said the trouble began after the early morning prayer while the Imam was preaching.
“Najeem attempted to use the microphone rod to hit the Imam, but he dodged it. The worshippers took him up, which he resisted. He was dragged outside the mosque, mobbed and left inside the gutter in front of the premises, bleeding.
“Some members of the mosque notified the police at Ataoja Police Division, and they came to carry him from the scene to the police station. He died along the way as a result of the assault.”
During a visit to the mosque around 1 p.m., relatives of the deceased were seen protesting at the premises while the Imam was preaching ahead of the Jumu’ah prayer. The protesters insisted that the prayer should not hold, arguing that Najeem had been killed on the mosque premises only hours earlier.
Police operatives later arrived at the scene and took the Imam to the Ataoja Divisional Police Division. Family members and sympathisers subsequently occupied the entrance of the mosque, preventing worshippers from gaining access.
They were also reported to have threatened to burn down the mosque if prayers were conducted or if any attempt was made to reopen the facility.
Speaking on behalf of the family, a relative identified as Nurudeen said, “Najeem was beaten to death at the mosque by the worshippers after an altercation ensued in the mosque. He was going to Ibadan this morning, but visited the mosque for Subuhi prayer when he was mobbed to death.
“When we called to ask about his journey, a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had an altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there, that was when we realised that he was dead.”
Bloodstains were observed on the fence of the mosque as well as on a wooden plank positioned in front of the premises.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victim was attacked around the mosque and not inside it.
He said, “We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident.”
Ojelabi added that the incident occurred at about 6 a.m., noting that while no suspect had yet been formally charged, efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
According to him, “No suspect has been arrested, but information is on high gear to get those who perpetrated this evil act arrested. The DPO and other Tactical Teams have been deployed to maintain law and order. The corpse has been deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital.”
He reiterated that the deceased was mobbed around the mosque and not inside the place of worship.
(The NATION)
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