A worshipper identified as Najeem has died following a violent altercation at a central mosque in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, sparking tension in the area and prompting police investigation.
The incident occurred shortly after the dawn (Fajr) prayer on Friday at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque on B.A. Adigun Street, Ayedun Estate, Ogo-Oluwa area.
Eyewitnesses said the deceased, a car painter and father of two, had joined other worshippers for prayers when he suddenly stood up during the sermon, reportedly pulled down the microphone stand and attempted to attack the Imam.
It was gathered that the cleric fled the mosque to avoid being assaulted, while some worshippers tried to restrain Najeem. The intervention, however, degenerated into a violent struggle that spilled outside the mosque premises.
A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “He suddenly stood up, removed the microphone stand and tried to hit the Imam. When the Imam ran away, some people held him. There was a struggle and he was beaten. He even bit some people before he fell into the gutter.”
Another resident said the deceased was physically strong and appeared aggressive, adding that several people were needed to overpower him.
The situation reportedly worsened when relatives of the deceased arrived at the mosque, accusing some worshippers of being responsible for his death.
The development triggered panic in the neighbourhood, forcing some residents and traders to hurriedly shut their shops.
As a result, Jummah prayers at the mosque were suspended, while police officers were deployed to the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victim was not killed inside the mosque but “around the mosque premises.”
He said, “The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. No suspect has been arrested yet, but investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible.”
Ojelabi added that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital mortuary, while the Divisional Police Officer and tactical teams had been mobilised to restore calm in the area.
Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to establish whether any individual would be held accountable.
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