Members of the Muslim community in Ile‑Ife, Osun State, staged a protest on Friday after a mosque in the Ilare area was allegedly invaded by some Oro adherents. According to the protesters, the traditionalists entered the mosque on Thursday while Muslims were gathered for the 4 p.m. prayers and attacked those inside. The chief imam, Abdul‑Lateef Adediran, was reportedly injured in the face, and five other worshippers were allegedly stabbed.
An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Kareem for security reasons, recounted the incident: “We were in the mosque to pray. Some people were performing ablution when the Oro worshippers entered. We knew they would be moving around with Oro and did not interfere in their affairs. They passed through the area, later returned, and entered the mosque. The imam tried to ask their purpose, but they did not allow him to speak before they began beating everyone. Six people were stabbed, and our imam sustained facial injuries. All the injured were taken to hospitals in Ile‑Ife.”
During the Friday protest, demonstrators marched through the town’s main streets and visited the palace of the Ooni of Ife, though the royal father was not present. They demanded the arrest of those responsible for the attack. One protester, Tajudeen Adesiyan, told journalists that a petition had been submitted to the police and noted that worshippers had suffered a similar assault in November of the previous year.
Yemisi Opalola, spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, said normalcy had returned while investigations continue to determine both remote and immediate causes of the incident. Moses Olafare, spokesperson for the Ooni, stated that the Ife traditional council is overseeing the matter. “The leadership of the Muslim community in Ife is also involved in the peace meeting currently ongoing. Muslims, traditionalists and Christians have cohabited peacefully for centuries. Baba Ooni is calling on all parties to allow peace to reign. Security agents, traditionalist leaders, and Muslim community leaders are meeting to address the issue.”
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