… Group Demands justice for victims
By Golden Amedu and Boluwatife Olanite
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the attacked on an Islamic cleric’s wives and children by masquerades in Oke Agbe, Akoko North local government, Ondo State.
The masquerades were said to have gained access into the mosque and attempt to ask them out was brutally refused by the masquerades as they beat the wives and children of the mosque Chief Imam who also made an attempt to ask the masquerades out of the mosque were beating blue and black.
MURIC described the attack as an anti-muslim proclivities which Muslims face in Yoruba land.
“Scores of masquerade traditionalists invaded the house and mosque of the Chief Imam of Oke Agbe, Akoko, Akoko North Local Government, Ondo State. They beat up the Imam’s wives and children. The unprovoked attack occurred on Thursday, 12th June, 2025 in Oke Agbe Akoko, Akoko North Local Government, Ondo State.
“We strongly condemn this attack. It is weird, irrational and barbaric. This attack is another evidence of increased anti-Muslim proclivities which Muslims now face in Yorubaland.”
The group in a statement by its executive director, Prof Ishaq Akintola decried the town’s king’s interference in the case as he is accused of taking sides.
“To add salt to injury, the king of the town imposed fines on the Muslim victims after the attack allegedly because the Muslim women ‘screamed and cursed the masquerades while they were being beaten instead of crying and begging’.
“The Imam and his wives were therefore ordered to bring nine goats, seven sheep and 200 pieces of kolanuts as fines not later than Monday 16th June, 2025 (today) or they would all be banished from the city while no one should practice Islam in the area henceforth. Nothing was said about the masquerades who attacked the women!
“MURIC regards this as a miscarriage of justice. The king’s judgement stands in contradistinction to the principles of natural justice. This is 21st century Nigeria and we are supposed to be in a democracy for crying out loud. It is crude, archaic, parochial and draconian. This fine must not stand.
Prof Akintola said justice must be served.
“We demand justice for the Muslim victims. We urge the Ondo State Government to curb the excesses of the king of Oke Agbe Akoko. Nothing must happen to the Imam, his wives and children. That banishment order must be rescinded.
“Besides, a case of assault occasioning harm has been established. We urge the Ondo State Police Command to arrest and prosecute the attackers. They are neither anonymous nor ghosts because their leaders are well known.
The Islamic rights group commended the police for its prompt action.
“We commend the police in Oke Agbe for making it possible for the Muslims to observe the Friday prayer the next day even when there were attempts to stop them.
“We implore the police to ensure that this case is not swept under the carpet. Injustice anywhere is an invitation to injustice everywhere and the culprits in the valley today may become the helpless victims on the hills tomorrow. That is the paradoxical cycle of injustice.
