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| Chief Imam of Akure, Abdulhakeem Akorede |
…..Reacts To Fighting Between Hausa Community, Masquerades In Akure
The Chief Imam of Akureland, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede has reacted to the crisis between the Hausa community and traditional worshippers believed to be masquerades and their followers in the Ondo state Capital.
Imam Akorede in an interview with newsmen over the incident, said he was at the central mosque when some boys believed to be followers of the masquerades procession started throwing bottles and stones at the building.
“Before I came out of the mosque, the boys have disappeared. I called the Personal Assistant to the Deji of Akure, Chief Sele and Chief Omolaare to inform them about the incident. They both came to the mosque and we left for Araromi area of the city where Sabo is located to ascertain the situation”, Akorede said.
The Imam said on getting to the area, they met the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on security, Alhaji Dojumo and the commissioner of police.
He said the masquerades were about performing a traditional rite in a section of the Sabo area and the Hausa community resisted which led to the crisis happened.
“I asked Chief Sele where the rituals have always been performed because there haven’t be crisis in Akure since the inception of this ritual. He told me he didnt know anything about it.
“It was reported that the Hausa community mosque in the area was burnt, but when we got there, nothing like that,” he said.
Akorede however said houses were razed while cars and motorcycles were burnt.
“No live was lost from what I learnt but there were reported incident of injuries,” he said.
He said the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi has been informed about the incident while security operatives had taken over the area to avoid reprisal attacks.
He appealed to residents of Akure to remain calm while urging the state government to get to the root cause of the incident and address it.
The Chief Imam said the conflict was not religious one, adding that it was strange that such thing was happening.
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