By Daud Olatunji

The Chief Missioner, Ansaru-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad has said that the mosque which was invaded by masquerades in Ikun-Ekiti belonged to her and the imam and other people attacked were members as well.

Sheikh Ahmad however, called for the arrest and prosecution of  perpetrators no matter how highly placed. The Islamic group also  kicked against the silence of the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose on the incident where five persons including the Imam of the mosque were attacked.

It would be recalled that no fewer than five persons  including the Imam  sustained various degrees of injury when masquerades last week  Tuesday evening attacked some Muslims while in the mosque in Ikun Ekiti, in Moba local government of Ekiti State.

The incident happened about 7:pm when the Muslims had gathered in the mosque to observe the Maghrib prayer after breaking their Ramadan fast.

Addressing newsmen on the incident, Sheikh Ahmad said the apex Islamic body in Nigeria; Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA , and the regional body, Muslim Ummah  in South West, MUSWEN, have taken up the issue.

File: Masquerade trying to flog an old woman

Sheikh Ahmad said, the mosque had been serving as the central mosque since 1950, saying, it was established by 50 members.

He said the society had reported the matter to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris   and Assistant Inspector General of Police, zone 8, Christopher Dega  as well as the state governor,  Ayodele Fayose through his Religious Adviser. While describing the incident as  a threat to national peace, Sheikh Ahmad said: “it is a potential threat.

It has the potential to take the balance of the harmony in favour of anarchy in Ekiti and its environs, particularly in Ikun-Ekiti. “At a time that the nation is battling with terrorism and extremism, if a monarch takes law into his hands, it will not augur well at all, it will not augur for freedom of religion, it will not augur well for peaceful co-existence and for national integration.