The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the arrest of one Ojo
Akinlabi for allegedly killing Pa Taiwo Biliaminu, a septuagenarian.
The suspect allegedly attacked the deceased with an axe and dealt him
several blows from the weapon at Fiditi, Afijio Local Government of
Oyo State on 23rd October, 2019.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but he gave up the ghost on 29th
October, 2019.
MURIC made the call on Tuesday in a statement issued by its Director,
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accusing Ojo Akinlabi of thuggery, hooliganism,
brigandage and premeditated murder.
He added, โOjo Akinlabi is a Muslim hater and a social nuisance. He is
a threat to his community. He attacks Muslims at will. The list of his
Muslim victims include Miss Simiat of Abese family, whom he allegedly
raped to death in 2008; Alhaji Hamza Adebiyi whom he attacked and
whose house he vandalised in 2017 and Rafiu Olaojo whom he attacked
with a cutlass in October 2019.
โFurthermore, the suspect attacked Taofeek Oyekola, the Imam of
Agbongbon Omodeni Mosque, vandalized his house, hacked down wooden
windows and pursued the residents. He also destroyed foodstuff in the
shop outside the house (raw rice, beans, gari and oil). However, his
attempt to burn down the house failed.
โOjo Akinlabi has threatened to kill all Muslims in Fiditi. All his
victims so far are Muslims. He also insists that he does not want to
see any mosque in the town. Muslims in the area live in palpable fear
and the mosque has been deserted. The suspect is a notorious cultist
who initiates people by force at his shrine which is situated behind
the Yehoyeho House.
โAs a peace-loving, law-abiding and dialogue-inclined group, we are
using this medium to appeal to the Oyo State Police Command to rise to
the occasion. The police at Fiditi Police Station had forwarded the
report of the murder of Pa Taiwo Biliaminu to Iyaganku Police
Headquarters, Ibadan since 1st November, 2019. It appears Fiditi
police find it difficult to apprehend the suspect. The responsibility
must fall squarely on the state police command.
MURIC however charged the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to send
officers and men who are capable of restoring law and order by
bringing Ojo Akinlabi to justice.
โIn addition, we appeal to the IG to investigate the cause of police
unwillingness to bring our attackers to book and thereafter, to take
such measures that will ensure prompt and proportionate action against
anyone who attacks people of other faiths or destroys their properties
in future.โ
