An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the recently killing of a Muslim cleric allegedly perpetrated by some traditional worshippers in Oshogbo, Osun state capital.
An elderly man, Alhaji Moshood Salahudeen, was killed while 14 other Muslims sustained gunshot and cutlass-inflicted injuries on Sunday, 26th June, 2021 when masquerade (egungun) worshippers of the traditional religion attacked members of the Qamar ul-Islam Society who were holding a programme in front of their mosque at Oluode Aranyin, Ita Olookan area of Oshogbo, Osun State.
The group described the killing as dastardly and called on the Commissioner of Police, Osun Police Command to fish out the killer and his accomplices.
MURIC made the demand in a statement circulated to the media on Tuesday, 29th June, 2021 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads:
“Egungun worshippers killed an elderly Muslim and wounded 14 others in Oshogbo on Sunday, 26th June, 2021. The Muslims were hoding a programme in front of their mosque, the Qamarudeen Central Mosque which is situated at Oluode Aranyin, Ita Olookan area of Oshogbo, Osun State when the masquerade worshippers came from nowhere and started attacking them.
“Children were among those who sustained gunshot wounds and other injuries. The deceased was the Baba Adinni of the organisation, Alhaji Moshood Salahudeen. He came all the way from Iwo to attend the programme. He was alleged to have been killed by one of the attackers, Kayode Esuleke.
“We are stupefied by this horrendous crime. It is a dastardly act. It is brutish, fiendish and barbaric. We call on the Commissioner of Police in the State of Osun to order the arrest of the main culprit, Kayode Esuleke and his co-travellers. Justice must not only be done in this case, but it must be seen to have been done.
“We appeal to Muslims in the state to refrain from attempting any reprisal attack. We have no doubt that the state police Command will ensure that the culprits will not go unpunished.”
