Kogi State Police Command has warned leaders of warring Islamic sects in Okene to shun any form of violence within and around the Central Mosque during forthcoming Eid prayers on Saturday. This is connected to the lingering crises between Tijaniyya and Sunni sects over who become the chief imam following the demise of the former imam, Musa Galadima who died in 2019. Last Friday, during jummat service, eight people were injured in a clash between members of the two Islamic sects at Okene Central Mosque. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, the security agencies are “determined to deal with anyone who will not give peace a chance”. According to Aya, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Ede Ayuba, Director DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commander Army Record, Major General Soleye and Commander NNS, Lugard, Commander Adesanya met with the leaders of Tijaniya and Ansarul Tijaniya Okene on Tuesday. At the meeting, the heads of security agencies warned that breach of peace during Friday prayer and Eid prayers on Saturday will not be tolerated as the security agencies are determined to deal with anyone who will not give peace a chance. The Commissioner of Police warned both leaders to maintain status quo and also talk to their followers to shun any form of violence within the central Mosque and Okene environments, since the State government directed that status quo be maintained while the process for the selection of a new imam continue. He further stated that if there is any crisis in the Mosque, leaders of both sects should report themselves to the nearest Police station or be arrested for inciting violence.
Kogi State Police Command has warned leaders of warring Islamic sects in Okene to shun any form of violence within and around the Central Mosque during forthcoming Eid prayers on Saturday. This is connected to the lingering crises between Tijaniyya and Sunni sects over who become the chief imam following the demise of the former imam, Musa Galadima who died in 2019. Last Friday, during jummat service, eight people were injured in a clash between members of the two Islamic sects at Okene Central Mosque. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, the security agencies are “determined to deal with anyone who will not give peace a chance”. According to Aya, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Ede Ayuba, Director DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commander Army Record, Major General Soleye and Commander NNS, Lugard, Commander Adesanya met with the leaders of Tijaniya and Ansarul Tijaniya Okene on Tuesday. At the meeting, the heads of security agencies warned that breach of peace during Friday prayer and Eid prayers on Saturday will not be tolerated as the security agencies are determined to deal with anyone who will not give peace a chance. The Commissioner of Police warned both leaders to maintain status quo and also talk to their followers to shun any form of violence within the central Mosque and Okene environments, since the State government directed that status quo be maintained while the process for the selection of a new imam continue. He further stated that if there is any crisis in the Mosque, leaders of both sects should report themselves to the nearest Police station or be arrested for inciting violence.
Leaders of both sects agreed to talk to their followers to maintain peace while the process for the selection lasted. Those who attended the meeting include: Sheikh Lukman Musa, Galadima of Ansarul Islam; Sheikh Salihu Abere of Tijaniya; Alhaji Abdulateef M. Ibrahim, Tijaniya; Alhaji Salihu Momoh, Sunnist; Salihu Ibrahim Oricha, Sunnist; Nuhu Ogirima, Ansarul Islam; Bello Hussein, Sunnist; Alhaji Adam Abere, Tijaniya and Danfulani Abdullahi of Tijaniya.
Kogi Report