Crime

NEW YEAR EVE MAYHEM ON WORSHIP CENTRES IN ILORIN

……Gov Ahmed Condemns Attack on Worshippers, Describes action as satanic

……COUNTER ACUSATION TRAIL ATTACK

 

…..POLICE BLOWS HOT, TEN SUSPECTS ARRESTED NOW YEAR MIDNIGHT MAYHEM ON RELIGIOUS CENTRES IN ILORIN

 

 

 

 

 

It was like a planned attack when an unspecified number of hoodlums not less than Fifty (60) in numbers launched an attack on the place of worship along Taiwo Isale, Ilorin when most worshippers were observing the crossover night service that ushers them into the new year 2018.

 

Churches like St Joseph’s Cathedral and Methodist that are in close proximity adjacent each other along Taiwo Isale were mostly hit by the hoodlums.

Also The Quareeb Society, whose night vigil was also taking place was attacked where severl persons were said to have been injured and hospitalized at an undisclosed hospital in Ilorin.

 

On both sides of the religious place of worship, it was accusation and counter accusation; some Muslims who were asked what they view as the cause of the mayhem said they suspect Christians of masterminding the attack perhaps because they were making too much noise coinciding with their crossover service while o, the Christians accused the Muslims of being the suspects in the attack because according to a Catholic spokesman, Reverend Father Atoyebi,  those hoodlums chant ‘Laila Illlahu’ as they commit their havoc, leaving no doubt as to who they might likely be.

 

Another account has it that some hoodlums just took advantage of the high populated situation to rob worshippers of their belonging and that while doing their thing, they also rape females who are unlucky to be their victim and when a muslim lady in hijab was being pursued, she ran into the Catholic Church where she was given refuse and this infuriated the hoodlums and eventually launched attack on the church, extending their anger on Methodist Church, adjacent to them.

 

Yet another account stated that youths of Taiwo Isale, who were refused permission to do their annual Carnival were the ones who vent their anger on the places of worship on their street very contrary to these was that causing untold panic early part of the first day of the new year.

 

However, the Kwara State Police Command in a press release issued to journalists in Kwara disabused the mind of the people that it is not a religiously motivated attack.

 

DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, the spokesman of the Command   reiterated the capability of his command to deal decisively with anybody arrested, for being a part of the breakdown of law and order “witnessed in Taiwo Isle area of Ilorin, by hoodlums early this morning, in spite the peace and harmony being enjoyed in the state before, during the yuletide and even now.”

The statement further said “At about 02;00am of today, some youths that were prevented from carrying out what was termed New year carnival by the community leaders of the area for fear of the process  turning into a security threat, owing to previous years experiences.

In protest to the denial, the youths resorted into throwing bangers indiscriminately at all gatherings in the vicinity including religious gatherings celebrating the new year cross -over services, three (3) persons were injured in the resulting stampede, both the catholic,  Methodist and other churches in the area, including  a Muslim group called Quareeb team, holding their programme in an adjoining  school were attacked, some vehicles belonging to both worshippers were damaged.”

 

The Police ended the statement with that “It is important to note, that the attack has no religious undertone. It is simple an unlawful act by the disgruntled youths of the area, as both the Christian and Muslim gatherings in the area were attacked.

 

Okasanmi hinted that Ten (10) suspects have been arrested, while the injured were already taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment adding that Investigation into the matter has commenced and that good people of Kwara should continue with their lawful endeavours and disregard the insinuation that the crisis was between the Muslim and Christian

 

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has condemned the midnight attack on worshippers on the eve of the newyear along Ibrahim Taiwo road in Ilorin.

 

Gov Ahmed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahaab Oba described the dastardly attack as criminal, satanic and alien to the state.

 

Governor Ahmed, who commanded those who made efforts to protect some of the victims regardless of their religious inclination, called on security agencies to immediately launch an investigation into the incident and unravel the perpetrators of the unholy act with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

 

According to the governor, “peace is sine qua non for the development of any society and the government will not tolerate any act capable of breaching peace, unity and tranquillity of the state”.

 

The governor called on the people of the state to imbibe spirit of tolerance and harmonious relationship for sustainance of growth and economic development in the state.

 

Governor Ahmed also called on parents and guidance to monitor their wards with a view to curtailing their likely excesses.

 

 

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