The two sides in Sunday’s deadly clash in front of a mosque in Osogbo, Osun State have come out to reveal their own sides of the story.
One person was confirmed killed and 19 others reportedly injured in the fracas between members of the Kamorudeen Society of Nigeria (KSN) and adherents of the Esubiyi masquerader at the Oluode Aranyin’s compound, Osogbo.
The deceased was identified as Moshood Salawudeen, the Baba Ijo of KSN, who was died on the spot having been shot in the head.
Speaking on what transpired, the Chief Imam of the society, Qosim Yunus, said, that it appeared to be a carry-over of a frosty relationship lasting three years between the society and the Esubiyi worshippers which resulted in litigation in the past.
Yunus, who spoke during a press briefing, stated that the Muslim faithful were under a tent in front of the mosque peacefully observing a special prayer for Nigeria until the Esubiyi masquerader and its entourage emerged.
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“Almost three hours into the prayer, commotion enveloped the hitherto peaceful environment of the mosque. Alas, members of the society, who were praying for peace, ended up as causalities as the masquerader’s adherents, led by an Ifa worshipper, who is also an APC stalwart in Osun State, stormed the mosque and unleashed mayhem on the Islamic faithful, leaving one person dead and scores with gun wounds; the mosque was vandalised and vehicles and other properties of the society destroyed.
“The remains of the deceased, Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen, have been deposited in the morgue of the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and the injured are presently receiving treatment at the same hospital.
“The masquerader was led to our area by four policemen and they initially passed without any quarrel. They later came to where we sat and attacked us. The deceased was shot dead; our people were attacked with machetes.
“The following are some of our members, who were injured: Abdul Jelleel, Adebayo Awolesin, Taofetgaek Fatai, Malik Abdulkabir, Quazeek Al-ameen, Qauzeem Aseyori, Ayuba Abdakeem, Abdusalam Abdrauf, Ajabge Ishaq, Owolabi Maruf, Risiqat Zakariyahu, Isiaq Ibraheem, Yahaya and Halimot Oladosu,” Yunus said.
However, the custodian of the Esubiyi masquerader, Fashola Esuleke, denied he alletions that his side instigated the fracas.
Fashola, who said his father, Chief Kayode Esuleke, owns the masquerader, blamed the Muslim faithful for instigating it, alleging that what started as a confrontation escalated when one KSN member tried to unmask the masquerader.
He said that the KSN members held his group members hostage until they were rescued by the police and men of the Agbekoya group.
Explaining the masquerader’s mission in the area, Esuleke said, “We were in the area to greet a family member and we had moved to the house of the said man, passing by members of the Kamorudeen Society, who sat under the canopy in front of their mosque. We didn’t beat drums or make a noise. But when we were returning, our procession came under attack.
“Some members of the Islamic group went to the upper part of the mosque and started pelting us with stones. One of them charged forward and attempted to remove the veil covering the face of our masquerader.
“But some of our men rescued the masquerader. Five of our members were also injured. Before we got to the area, we passed through many mosques and churches. Nothing like that happened. The man should be investigated.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said it has arrested some persons in connection with the fracas, although it did not name them nor say how many they were.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yemisi Opalola, said, “Some people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Investigation is on already. One person was killed, but his identity is not known.”