Crime
GRAPHIC PHOTOS: Taraba Mosque dispute between Darika, Izala sects kills two, injures several
A violent clash over control of the Donga Central Mosque in Taraba State has left two people dead and several others injured, following renewed hostilities between the Darika and Izala Muslim sects on Wednesday.
Source told our correspondent that the bloody confrontation erupted after months of simmering tension between the two Islamic groups over who should lead prayers and manage the newly renovated central mosque in Donga town.
According to community source, Yamujeh Usman Baaga, the conflict traced back several months when the Darika sect, which had been worshipping at the central mosque, pulled out to establish a new place of worship near the riverbank in Donga after disagreements with the Izala group.
Trouble reportedly reignited when Hon. Mohammadu Usman Fanya, a local political figure, sponsored the renovation of the Donga Central Mosque. After the renovation, it was agreed that the mosque would serve as the main worship centre for all Muslim faithful in the town. However, disagreement soon followed as both sects claimed leadership of the mosque — each insisting on the right to lead the Friday congregational prayers.
What started as a heated argument on Wednesday morning degenerated into a violent clash, with both sides allegedly wielding dangerous weapons. Two people were confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries, and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The violence prompted security operatives who swiftly moved in to restore order, as the Taraba State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Donga town to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of residents.
As of press time, the police spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command could not be reached for comment, as calls to his line went unanswered. However, security sources confirmed that additional police reinforcements had been deployed to the area.
Residents, who spoke under anonymity, called on religious leaders and traditional authorities to urgently intervene to restore peace, warning that the incident could inflame further sectarian divisions if left unchecked.
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