An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC), has called for the prosecution of nine Oro worshippers who
attacked Muslims after imposing curfew in Ipokia community of Ogun
State even as the group applauded the police for the arrest.
The Ogun State Police Command on Monday announced the arrest of nine
Oro worshippers who attacked Muslims after imposing an illegal curfew.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi
identified the suspects as Dondo Sunday, Nurudeen Lawal, Idowu Desu,
Monday Akinlolu, Dele Dada, Raimi Jacob, Abiola Azeez, Olarewaju
Akerele and Tetede Jamiu.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq
Akintola, MURIC said the arrest was overdue.
“Oro worshippers have for long exhibited reckless impunity. They had
become the Alpha and the Omega in Ipokia. They gave adherents of other
religions no peace.
“How can they be declaring curfew at will and usurping the authority
of both the local and state governments? How can they be attacking and
maiming people of other faiths and even destroying properties without
anyone calling them to order. This arrest serves them right but it
must not end there. They must be made to pay for damaged mosque
property.
“They must also appear in court. This case must not end at the police
station. They have serious cases to answer: breaking and entering,
premeditated damage, occasioning grievous harm and contempt of court.
Ignorance and religious bigotry are their major problems and they must
be taught a lesson.”
The group urged the police to handle the case with all honesty and
commitment in order to ensure lasting solution to the problem.
“Oro worshippers must be made to realise that there is a constitution
in this country. In particular, the traditional ruler of the community
must be told in black and white that he is not the absolute ruler in
the land and that he himself must submit to the authority of the
local, state and federal governments. Gone are the days when
traditional rulers brandished unlimited power and feudal tyranny.
“Above all, both the traditional ruler and the Oro worshippers must
submit to the supremacy of the law. In this regard, they must obey
subsisting court ruling on the modus operandi of their Oro by
restricting their operations to the hours between 12 am and 4 am or
risk going to jail.”
