There was a commotion in Idi-Iroko, a community in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday, when some Oro adherents invaded a mosque, hurling stones on the Imam and the congregation.
The Punch reports that the Muslims incurred the wrath of the traditionalists by coming out during the Oro festival to observe their prayers.
Speaking on the incident, the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal, said the incident happened during the observance of the afternoon (Suhr) prayer at the mosque.
He explained that said residents of the community had been warned by the Oro adherents not to go out during their festival on Saturday.
Lawal stated, “The incident occurred around 1.18 pm on Saturday when our Muslim brothers were observing the Suhr prayer at the Umar bin Khatab Mosque at Odan-Aje, behind the General Hospital, Idi-Iroko.
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“The Oro adherents invaded the mosque and pelted the Imam and the congregation with stones, and chased them away. They later destroyed the property in the mosque.”
“We condemn the action of the Oro adherents and urge the government to intervene in the issue before it escalates.
“It is not in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution that no one, whether he is a Muslim or not, must not go out on a particular day or time because of the Oro festival.
“Everybody is free to practice what he wants; no one should impose his ideology on another person. The government must intervene before it becomes too late.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the command had arrested some of the perpetrators.