Why we struck, attacked Kamorudeen Central Mosque – Masquerade follower
Imam of Kamorudeen Central Mosque, Iwo, Moshood Salawudeen, has been reportedly killed while about 12 persons, including children sustained gunshot injuries in a clash that ensued between masquerade worshipers and members of the Mosque on Sunday in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria.
The masquerade worshipers reportedly opened gunfire at the Muslims at the worship centre, Kamorudeen Central Mosque, located at Oluode Aranyin in Osogbo around 2:30 pm on Sunday while they were performing a special prayer for Nigeria.
Some of the children who were shot are under 17 years and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
A 12-year-old boy, Abduljeleel Ali who sustained gunshot injuries on the chest and leg; Adebayo Awolesin, 15, who was shot in the arm; Taofeeq Fatai, 17 and Maliq Abdukabir, 17 are all undergoing treatment in Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
A Camry car and mosque windows were destroyed in the clash.
It was gathered that Kamorudeen Islamic Society of Nigeria organised a special prayer for Nation which was attended by members of the organisation across the state.
One of the victims, Isiaka Ajagbe, 37, said that the traditional worshippers were led by one Kayode Esuleke.
He said that the masquerade and their worshipers under the protection of the police walked past the mosque before they returned and descended on them with stones.
“They were first throwing stones and also started firing guns at us. They destroyed the mosque. We are on our own.”
Kayode Esuleke is yet to respond to several calls made to his phone numbers to get his side of the story.
A member of the Masquerade’s group confirmed the attack but he told Platforms Africa after pleading anonymity “for security reasons” that his group was first attacked by some of the worshippers at the Mosque.
“It was a reprisal. They were the ones that first attacked us during our procession through the street in front of the Mosque,” he said.
The Imam of the mosque, Kazeem Yunus confirmed that the leader (Imam) of the organisation in Iwo, Osun State, Moshood Salawudeen, was shot in the head and gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.
“Some of our members, about 12 who sustained bullet injuries have been taken to Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro; Osogbo central hospital and UNIOSUN central hospital while the corpse has been deposited at UNIOSUN teaching hospital mortuary,” he added.
