The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate arrest
and prosecution of leaders of the Eluku cult in Iperu Remo, Ogun
State.
The reaction follows last Tuesday’s attack on Zumratul Mu’miniin
Mosque in Amororo area of Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the
state by a cult group popularly known as Eluku.
The mosque had its property damaged just as vehicles and houses around
the mosque also came under attack.
At least three Muslims were hospitalized due to serious injuries
inflicted on them by the attackers. Other worshippers in the mosque
who sustained various degrees of injury were discharged after
receiving treatment.
MURIC, in a statement yesterday, by its Director, Prof. Ishaq
Akintola, charged the police to protect mosques in Ogun State in
particular and the South West in general.
“We urge Governor Dapo Abiodun to be proactive in governance
particularly concerning affairs of Muslims in the state. Nigerians are
waiting to see if the governor will do justice in the Iperu Mosque
affair whose culprits are his kinsmen. Imams, Muslim leaders and
Islamic title holders need to sit up. Enough is enough.
“This is the third attack on Muslims in Ogun State alone in 2019. Once
is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy
action. If we call Idi Iroko mosque a mere happenstance, the beating
up of a woman in hijab in Abeokuta Township a coincidence, the latest
mosque invasion at Iperu has no other name. It is enemy action.
“We are therefore constrained to ask the Ogun State Governor, Dapo
Abiodun, to explain to the whole world why Muslims are constantly
exposed to danger under his watch. Dapo Abiodun became the executive
governor of Ogun State on 29th May, 2019. Since then, our mosques have
been invaded twice and a Muslim woman was assaulted.
As the chief security officer in the state, the governor has not
deemed it fit to issue a public statement on any of these attacks. Has
the state government ever warned traditional worshippers over these
attacks? Are we to assume that there is tacit approval?
“Governor Abiodun has not deemed it fit to visit the scene of the
attack. He does not think it is necessary to sympathise with the
victims. No single government official has gone to sympathise with the
injured victims in the hospital. This is unacceptable. We are deeply
hurt. The Muslim community of Ogun State deserves some modicum of
respect.
“Dapo Abiodun must fish out the culprits. The governor does not need
to go far. Investigations conducted by the Iperu Zone of MURIC have
revealed the identity of leaders of the Eluku cult in Iperu. Osako,
Aluko and Young Owner are the key suspects. They are well known in the
governor’s community.”
