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Details On How Masquerades Killed One, Injured 14 In Osun Mosque Emerge

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Facts have emerged on how one person died and 14 others were injured when armed masquerades allegedly invaded Kamorudeen Central Mosque on Sunday afternoon in Olu-Ode Aranyin area of Osogbo, Osun State.

One of the leaders of the mosque was killed during the incident, which occurred around 2:30pm when worshippers were observing a prayer session for Nigeria.

A source said the worshippers were praying when an altercation ensued between them and masquerades passing through the road beside the mosque.

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READ ALSO: Just In: Two Feared Dead, Osun Governor Whisked Away As EndSARS Turns Bloody

The altercation led to a brawl and gunshots were fired at the mosque, which left one person dead and 14 others injured.

When The Nation visited the mosque on Monday, there was uneasy calm in the area.

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Residents were still shocked by the incident. Canopies erected by the mosques and plastic chairs were in disarray with bloodstains on the floor.

READ ALSO: EndSARS: Protesters Lower APC Flag, Replace It With EndSARS Flag In Osun Assembly

The glass windows of the mosque were damaged.

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Addressing journalists on Monday, Chief Imam of Kamorudeen Central Mosque, Qosim Yusuf, recounted how the incident happened.

He said: “Three hours into the prayer there was a commotion around the mosque. It is unfortunate that while we are praying for peace, we became casualties of attack by the masquerade worshipers.

“The attack was led by one Chief Kayode Esuleke as he stormed the mosque and unleashed mayhem on the Islamic faithful leaving one person dead and 14 injured with various degrees of bullets wound. Our mosque, vehicles and other properties were vandalised.

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“The remains of the deceased, Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen is already deposited at the morgue of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital and other people that are injured.

“We give government 72-hour ultimatum to ensure immediate arrest and prosecution of Chief Kayode Esuleke and others that participated in the gruesome murder of Alhaji Moshood Salawudee. The government should take over the bills of all our members in hospital and all the properties vandalised must be taken care of.”

However, custodian of the masquerades, Fashola Esuleke, denied the allegation in a chat with The Nation.

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READ ALSO: One Killed As Rivalry Cult Groups Clash

He said: “We started the masquerade festival on Friday. On Sunday we were walking through Olu-Ode Aranyin and we were walking around the area when the Muslim faithful attacked us and tried to unclad the Masquerade.

“We escaped the scene and the Muslim wanted to kill the masquerade. The police and Agbekoya rescued the masquerade from the scene. We don’t know anything about the killing. Our men are even injured when they attacked us.”

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Spokesperson of Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed they have arrested some persons in connection with the incident.

(NATION)

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Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

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Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

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Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.

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Sokoto Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Uncover WhatsApp Recruitment Channel

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The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the notorious “Sai Malam” cult group, believed to be behind rising criminal activities in parts of the state.

The suspects, including the alleged gang leader Usman Shu’aibu, were apprehended on Friday during an intelligence-led operation executed by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the suspects confessed to being initiated into the group through a private WhatsApp platform called Red Chamber.

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The police noted that further investigation discovered the social media channel was created to recruit unsuspecting youths into criminal activities.

READ ALSO:Police Crack Down On Criminal Network In Delta Community, Recover AK-47

These, according to the statement, include ritual practices, the pursuit of supposed demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, and violent thuggery.

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The police warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities closely, noting that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to lure vulnerable youths.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the arrests respond directly to public concerns about the group’s operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

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READ ALSO:Hoodlums Stab Police Officer To Death In Ondo

In other news, two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

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The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest 26 Over Fake Currency, Adulterated Diesel In Lagos

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While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

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“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

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Metro

Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

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Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, on Saturday stopped a major attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) moved in with airstrikes that killed many of the fleeing terrorists.

The report was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the update, more than 300 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Chibok around 3:00 a.m., attempting to break through military defensive positions.

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Soldiers responded immediately, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted about two hours.

READ ALSO:Army Releases List Of Shortlisted Candidates For SSC Course

A security source quoted in the post said the troops acted swiftly and professionally.

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There was no casualty on our side, and no equipment was affected,” the source said.

As the terrorists began to retreat toward the Timbuktu Triangle, ground troops called for air support.

NAF combat aircraft were deployed to the route used by the fleeing fighters.

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READ ALSO:NAF Redeploys 25 Senior Officers

The airstrikes, guided by intelligence from the troops on the ground, hit several clusters of terrorists trying to escape.

Multiple waves of strikes were carried out, with both manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial platform targeting groups of fighters dispersing into the forest.

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According to Makama, the combined efforts of the Army and the Air Force dealt heavy blows to the attackers, preventing them from regrouping after the failed offensive.

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