In an interview with Rave FM on Tuesday, which was monitored by Muslim News’ correspondent in Osogbo, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olawale Olokode also confirmed the incident, but said both the Muslim body and Masquerade worshippers didn’t formally notify the police of their activities.
Speaking, Mr. Olokode said, “We were informed on Sunday that a Muslim Organisation, known as Qamaruden Society had a religious programme where they made use of a section of the road, to put canopies and chairs (in front of their mosque). Unfortunately, that same day, around the same time, the masquerade (and his disciples) were to make use of the same road enroute to their shrine.
“The account is that they passed through that place to their shrine, but when they were returning to the town, they still had to use the same route. There arose a clash, because at that point, their (the masquerade) religious worship got to a certain height and the Muslim organisation would not want them to pass through the place because of the height of their religious exercise. In a bid to stop them from disturbing their religious activity, there arose a clash that led to the death of Alfa Moshood Salawudeen, a very important preacher to them.
“The headquarters was neither aware of the Muslim activities nor the Egungun (masquerade) procession. Before this incident, there was a masquerade procession at Ede, there was another one at Ikire, the headquarters was notified of their activities and adequate provision for security was made. At the end, there was no such clash.
“But, this one is very unfortunate because whenever there was to be procession (in the State), the parties concerned would be interviewed and they will be made to sign an undertaking in order to avert any clash. This wasn’t known to the police headquarters.
“I also learnt there had been clashes in the past between them. This would be the third or fourth of such clashes, this got me surprised the more because of antecedents and that would have made the police make better arrangements as regards their movements.”
The Osun CP, however, said he hasn’t been informed of any arrest but added that the police force has commenced investigations into the clash and the perpetrators will pay for their crimes.
“Right now, I haven’t been informed of any arrest, but certainly, there would be arrests and some people would be made to pay for this crime. But I can assure you that investigation is on, because whoever has committed a serious crime of murder, will have to pay for it. I have asked the Assistant Commissioner of Police to personally handle the investigation and I will get feedback from him later today (Tuesday).” he concluded.
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