The Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Patrick Kehinde Longe has warned that he will not condone any breakdown of law and order in the state.
Longe gave this warning during a security meeting with the masquerade custodian, Pa Kayode Esuleke and the Chief Imam of the Kamarudeen Mosque, Oke Baale, Osogbo, Alhaji Kasim Yunis.
The meeting was held as there would be an Egungun (masquerade) festival celebration on Friday (today), July 14, 2023.
Media Talk Africa recalls that on June 27, 2021, masquerade worshippers in Osogbo allegedly attacked Kamarudeen Central Mosque, located at Oluode Aranyin.
The group had gathered to organise a special programme for the nation.
During the violent clash, a mosque was allegedly attacked by the Egungun worshippers and about 13 worshipers in the mosque were injured.
The leader of the organisation in Iwo, Osun State, Moshood Salawudeen was shot in the head and gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.
Longe, who insisted that there must not be a breakdown of law and order, noted that the festival was notorious for breaching security and endangering lives and properties.
He also urged the adherents of both faiths to maintain peace.
In his words, βThis meeting is based on the security of lives and property within your environs, having recalled the breakdown of security which usually occurred during the Egungun festivities/celebration in which another one is set to commence on Friday, 14th July, 2023.
βI will not condone anything that will cause a breach of peace in any way.
βI urge you to maintain peace and allow anyone to practice his/her faith/belief.β
In their separate responses, Pa Esuleke assured the Osun police boss that there would not be any problem at all.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Kamarudeen Mosque, Alhaji Kasim Yunis also assured of peaceful coexistence among various religions.
