Arrest perpetrators within 3 days, group tells govt
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Osun State Government has said it would investigate the cause of the fatal clash between some traditional worshippers and Muslims in Osogbo was investigated and that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
On Sunday, some masquerades and their followers had unleashed terror on some Muslim worshipers at Kamorudeen Central Mosque, at Oluode Aranyin in Osogbo around 2.30 pm during a Special prayer for Nigeria.
The two religious adherents had hurled stones on one another before gunfire was shot during the fracas that left the leader of a Muslim group in Iwo, Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen dead and fourteen others injured through bullet and machet wounds, according to the Imam of the affected Mosque, Kazeem Yusuf.
On an assessment visit to the affected area on Monday, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Abdullah Binuyo, who led the state government’s delegation, called on residents of the State, especially religious and ethnic groups, to be calm and coexist peacefully.
Binuyo, who also visited the victims receiving treatment at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, assured them of government’s readiness to investigate the matter and punish culprits.
He said, “for us as a government, one of the cardinal things we preach to our citizens irrespective of their religious leaning, is the need to coexist peacefully and ensure that the rights of their neighbours are not infringed upon in any way. trying to preach your faith.
“We have been to the hospital to visit the casualties arising from yesterday’s attack, and we are appealing for calm on both sides, to avoid any case of reprisal attacks from any quarter.
“This is a major issue that the government will step into, investigate what actually happened and bring to book those responsible for this very unfortunate act.
“Based on the update we have, one person was killed yesterday (Sunday) and we have about eight injured people in the hospital. They are responding to treatment and hopefully, they will be discharged today (Monday).
“The government will pick the hospital bills of those receiving treatment to ensure that we do not put further pressure on the victims”, Binuyo added.
In the delegation were Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu; Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs Abiodun Ige; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Osun Investment Promotion Agency, Prince Femi Adeniran.
Meanwhile, the coalition of Muslim Rights Activists of Nigeria (COMRAN), Osun State chapter has issued a 72 hour ultimatum to the government to fish out the killers of the deceased and ensure that justice is served.
Addressing a conference in Osogbo on Monday, the spokesperson of the group, Adbulganiy Ezra asked the government to pay up the hospital bills of the injured and ensure that properties vandalised were replaced.
