In this piece, BOLA BAMIGBOLA reports that the arraignment of an Osogbo-based Imam and four others over the death of a worshipper during early morning prayers has once again drawn attention to the menace of mob action in Osun State, amid growing calls for the installation of public surveillance cameras
The arraignment of Imam Abdulgafar Sakariyah, 51, and four others over the death of a worshipper has thrown the spotlight on the dangers of mob action in the state, with renewed calls for the installation of public surveillance cameras.
Sakariyah and the other defendants appeared sombre as they were remanded by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court on murder charges linked to the death of Ahmed Najeem, who was beaten by a mob after allegedly attempting to attack the Imam during prayers at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque on January 30.
Beyond the murder charge, the incident has revived concerns over jungle justice in the state, which critics say often leaves real perpetrators unpunished while innocent bystanders face prosecution.
Sakariyah and four accompanying individuals presented a subdued look in Courtroom 4, Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, emanating a sense of deep sorrow and solitude.
The events that led to their appearance in court initially gave no indication of danger, leaving them unaware of the grim outcome that would follow.
The Imam, who had appeared before the court with three members of his congregation, reportedly escaped death at the hands of one of those present for early morning prayers on Friday, January 30, at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque, Osogbo, Osun State.
Although the assailant failed to kill the Imam, the incident proved fatal for another participant in the prayers, who paid the supreme price that day.
His death subsequently landed Sakariyah and three others arrested in connection with the incident in serious trouble.
Beyond the murder charge, the incident brought back memories of mob action as a social menace in the state, which often leads to multiple loss of lives. Many of those involved in such acts usually go unpunished.
Mob action
The worshippers had gathered for the first prayers of the day that Friday. As usual, Sakariyah was delivering the sermon, stressing the need to live in godliness and avoid sin.
While he preached, more worshippers reportedly joined the prayers, some of them said to be new faces. Suddenly, one of the worshippers, identified as Ahmed Najeem, charged forward and seized the microphone stand from the Imam.
Multiple sources said he aimed the iron stand at the Imam’s head, but the cleric dodged the object and fled.
A worshipper who was present during the incident, but requested anonymity for security reasons, said Najeem had first smashed his mobile phone on the floor, suggesting he was extremely angry, before charging at the Imam.
A female worshipper, identified simply as Animat, told The PUNCH after the incident:
“Najeem attempted to use the microphone rod to hit the Imam, but he dodged it. Some of the men present for the prayer seized him and dragged him out. At that point, he was struggling with them. He was dragged outside the mosque, beaten up, and left in the gutter in front of the premises, bleeding on the head and neck region.”
Another witness, who was part of the congregation on the day, explained, “After the early morning prayer, the Imam was preaching when Najeem felt irritated by his words and threatened to attack him. He resisted those who tried to restrain him and was dragged outside, hit with planks and blows, while some women nearby begged them to stop. They eventually left him, but he fell into a drainage. He had open wounds but was still alive.
“Some people reported the incident at the Ataoja Police Division in Osogbo. A few operatives later arrived and carried Najeem, drenched in a pool of his own blood, to the police station. We were told he died on the way to the hospital due to the assault.”
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victim was not killed inside the mosque but “around the mosque premises.”
“The incident occurred shortly after 6am. No suspect has been arrested yet, but investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the deceased’s body was deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital mortuary, while the Divisional Police Officer and tactical teams had been deployed to maintain law and order.
It was learnt that tension began to rise after news broke that Najeem had died. However, by the time of the Jumat prayer later that day, many worshippers who did not attend the early morning prayers said they were unaware of the mob action that had occurred earlier.
The protest staged by the family of the deceased, who stormed the mosque in anger around 1pm that Friday, escalated tensions, as they threatened to raze the building during the upcoming Jumat prayer.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, some operatives from the Ataoja Police Division reportedly returned to the scene and whisked away the Imam and four other worshippers from the premises.
Plea for justice
A relative of the deceased, identified simply as Kazeem, dismissed claims that Najeem was medically unsound at the time of the attack.
Kazeem said all involved in the act should be arrested and prosecuted, noting that Najeem, a car painter, had been at his workshop the day before the incident.
He added that the deceased had only gone to the mosque to observe the early morning prayers before travelling to Ibadan, Oyo State.
Also demanding justice, Jimoh Olagunju, a colleague of the deceased, said the worshippers acted cruelly and called for the maximum punishment for anyone found culpable.
Worshippers go into hiding
Appearing before Magistrate A. Daramola, Sakariyah was brought to court alongside Kosamotu Hakeem, 50; Folorunso Mukaila, 57; Sakariyau Hafeez, 45; and Abdulwasiu Olatunji, 29. They were brought to court by the Osun State Commissioner of Police.
In the motion exparte filed, the applicant prayed the court to allow the respondents to be remanded in a correctional centre pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
The court granted the order, and the defendants were remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre until February 24, 2026.
Many eyewitnesses claimed those who beat Najeem to death were numerous, insisting that some of those currently facing charges did not participate in the assault.
“Nearly all those involved in the assault have fled. Those facing charges did not participate but were present at the scene. The real offenders may escape punishment as they have all run away,” a member of the congregation who witnessed the incident said.
Mob action condemned
Commenting on the incident, the pioneer Director-General of Osun Amotekun Corps, Amitolu Shittu, and civil society leader Wole Oladapo both condemned the killing.
They urged police to ensure that the real perpetrators do not escape justice.
Shittu, acknowledging limitations in the police probe due to a lack of surveillance cameras, called on the Osun State Government to install cameras across the state.
“Jungle justice is an aberration and must be condemned outright. Whoever is involved must be brought to book and allowed to face the law,” Shittu said.
On the police’s seeming inability to arrest all perpetrators, he added:
“I had a similar experience when the convoy of the former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Benedict Alabi, was attacked in Gbongan. I pursued those responsible, but the police made a mistake. They arrested people celebrating at a naming ceremony the next day. We must counsel our people, but whoever refuses must face the law. Jungle justice breeds criminality and has no place in society.”
Oladapo, convener of the Civil Society Organisation Nigerians for Good Governance, also called for the installation of surveillance cameras to deter crime.
“Yes, surveillance cameras have been what we have been clamouring for. With cameras everywhere, no criminal will escape justice,” Oladapo said.
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