The Osun State Police Command has begun an investigation into the alleged attack on some residents of Ile-Ife by Oro worshippers.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that members of the Muslim community in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday, staged a protest following the alleged invasion of a mosque in the Ilare area by some Oro adherents.
The protesters said on Thursday, the traditionalists entered the mosque, where some Muslims had gathered to observe the 4pm prayers, and attacked those they found in the building.
Beside the chief imam of the mosque, Abdul-Lateef Adediran, who was reportedly injured in the face, five other worshippers were allegedly stabbed during the attack.
An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Kareem for security reasons, said, “We were in the mosque to pray. Some people were performing ablution when the Oro worshippers entered the mosque.
“We were aware that they would be going around with Oro and we didn’t meddle in their affairs. They had passed through the area. They later returned and entered the mosque.
“The imam was trying to ask what their mission was, but they didn’t even allow him to talk before they started beating every one of us. Six people were stabbed. Our imam sustained injuries on his face. All those injured were taken to hospitals in Ile-Ife.”
During the Friday protest, the protesters, who moved through major streets in the town, visited the palace of the Ooni of Ife, but the royal father was not available.
Meanwhile, the former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Sakariyau Adesiyan, stressed the need to end the procession by adherents of Oro in daylight in Ile-Ife.
In an interview in Ile-Ife, Adesiyan said: “This must be the end of daylight Oro procession in Ile-Ife. This is not the first time they have been attacking Muslims and Christians in daylight.
“What happened yesterday (Thursday) was barbaric and satanic, because the person that was attacked was inside the mosque. Those who are praying were inside the mosque.
“They have once attacked people. So, we are saying enough is enough. The Muslims are not happy with what they did,” Adesiyan explained.
According to him, Oro adherents came into the mosque and allegedly attacked Muslims.
The Ex-NLC Chairman stressed that they wanted the perpetrators punished, adding that the people would continue their protests if those involved were not arrested.
Also, the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ife Central, Tajudeen Adesiyan, said that the Muslims were about to observe Solat Asri prayer when they were attacked.
Adesiyan claimed that the Oro traditional worshipers were returning from their shrine, when they forcefully entered the mosque and they were asking for Imam Lateef Adesiyan.
“It happened inside the mosque and the mosque was destroyed. There was a pool of blood from those injured. We are telling Nigerians that the constitution allows everyone to practice his religion as he likes,” he stated.
He observed that there had never been a day when Christians would ask Muslims to stay indoors for religious events, but the traditional worshipers were intolerant of other religions.
The Secretary emphasised that they were going to end the indiscipline act of the traditional Oro worshipers in Ile-Ife.
