One person killed, others injured as masquerade worshippers attack mosque

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

One person has been confirmed dead while about 12 persons including children sustained gunshot injuries when masquerade worshippers invaded a mosque in Osogbo.

It was gathered that the masquerade worshippers opened gunfire at the Muslim faithful at their worship centre, Kamorudeen Central Mosque, located at Oluode Aranyin in Osogbo around 2:30pm on Sunday while 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 in the chest and leg; Adebayo Awolesin, 15, who was shot in the arm; Taofeeq Fatai, 17; Maliq Abdukabir, 17 are undergoing treatment in Osun State University Teaching Hospital Osogbo.

A Camry car, mosque windows were destroyed in the clash.

It was gathered that Kamorudeen Islamic Society of Nigeria organised a special prayer for the Nation which was attended by members of the organisation across the state.

One of the victims who spoke with Hope Metro during a visit to the hospital, Isiaka Ajagbe, 37, said the traditional worshippers were led by one Kayode Esuleke.

He said that the masquerade and their worshippers under the protection of police walked pass the mosque before they returned and descended on them with stones.

“They were first throwing stones and started firing guns at us. They destroyed the mosque. We are on our own.”

The Imam of the mosque, Kazeem Yunus confirmed that the leader of the organisation in Iwo, Osun State, Moshood Salawudeen was shot in the head and gave up to the ghost.

“Some of our members, about 12 who sustained bullet injuries, were 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.