According to reports, Muslim worshippers were inside a mosque on Thursday evening preparing for the 4pm (Asr) prayer when traditionalists performing the pro-ritual attacked the mosque.
Four people were reportedly injured when traditional religion worshippers attacked worshippers at a mosque in Ile-Ile, Osun State.
According to reports, Muslim worshippers were inside a mosque on Thursday evening preparing for the 4pm (Asr) prayer when traditionalists performing the pro-ritual attacked the mosque.
Traditionalists in the town had announced on Wednesday that the Oro cult would be observed in some parts of Ife between 2pm and 7pm, advising residents to avoid the areas, Vanguard learnt.
According to one of the mosque's worshippers, Abdulazeez Bashir, Oro adherents broke through the fence and began flogging worshippers with canes, instructing them to leave the ablution area.
He said, “One of them even attacked the Imam, Alhaji Abdullateef Adesiyan while coming into the mosque. He was beaten with a cane and hit him on the face with a rod.
“When I discovered that about five persons have been injured, apart from the Imam of the mosque, I had to call the Ife Chief Imam to intimate him of the happenings.
“The situation could have escalated into a big religion crisis when other Muslims begin to gather around, but the traditionalists eventually ran away. The victims were later taken to hospital for treatment,” he said.
In response, Ooni's spokesperson, Moses Olafare, stated that the situation was under control and that a peace meeting was being held between stakeholders.
He said, “Ife Traditional Council is on top of the matter. The leadership of Muslim community in Ife is also involved in the peace meeting currently ongoing. Muslim, traditionalists and Christians living in the town have been cohabitating in peace for centuries.
“The Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is calling on all those involved to allow peace to reign. Security agents, leaders of the traditionalists and the leadership of the Muslim community are meeting to address the issue”, he said.
When contacted, Osun Police Command spokesperson Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation into the mosque invasion had been launched.
“We deployed our men to the scene and normalcy had returned to the area while we have commenced investigation to the alleged mosque invasion,” the Police PPRO said.