Metro

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

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

Editor

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.

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.

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

The glass windows of the mosque were damaged.

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.

“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.

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.”

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

(NATION)

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.