Oh-ho! This
year’s celebration of the annual Egungun festival in Ijaye area, Abeokuta Ogun
state, turned sour when one of the performing masqueraders, Leyin Aponle, shot
dead an Islamic cleric (Imam) Lateef Amusa on Sunday.
year’s celebration of the annual Egungun festival in Ijaye area, Abeokuta Ogun
state, turned sour when one of the performing masqueraders, Leyin Aponle, shot
dead an Islamic cleric (Imam) Lateef Amusa on Sunday.
Residents
claimed that the deceased was killed for defying the “earlier warning from the masquerade
to disembark from the motorbike he was riding.”
claimed that the deceased was killed for defying the “earlier warning from the masquerade
to disembark from the motorbike he was riding.”
Revenging
the death of the Imam, members of his sect invaded the family house of the
masquerader and set it ablaze on Monday morning.
the death of the Imam, members of his sect invaded the family house of the
masquerader and set it ablaze on Monday morning.
Local media report that the sect members also removed the masquerader’s costume and his other paraphernalia which
they dragged to the street entrance before setting it ablaze.
they dragged to the street entrance before setting it ablaze.
The
revengeful act was put to a stop when a team heavily armed anti-riot policemen
arrived the scene.
revengeful act was put to a stop when a team heavily armed anti-riot policemen
arrived the scene.
Following
the incident, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, placed a ban on the
continuation of the 17-day annual Egungun Festival.
the incident, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, placed a ban on the
continuation of the 17-day annual Egungun Festival.
An Assistant Superindentent of Police, Adejobi also said, “The CP has also ordered that all
masquerade outings and festivals in the state be put on hold till further notice”
masquerade outings and festivals in the state be put on hold till further notice”
The
Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirming the incident disclosed
that the police command had arrested four suspects, including a masquerader,
for the killing.
Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirming the incident disclosed
that the police command had arrested four suspects, including a masquerader,
for the killing.
