Masquerade and 3 of his pathfinders arrested for killing Islamic Cleric

The Ogun State Police Command on Monday arrested a masquerade and three of his pathfinders for allegedly killing an Islamic Cleric in Ijaiye area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening during the ongoing masquerade festival in the town.

The killing led to further crisis in the area as youth from an Islamic organisation in retaliation razed down a building belonging to traditional worshippers.

The Islamic cleric, identified as Lateef Sabiu, 22, was said to have been shot dead by the followers of the masquerade who carried dangerous weapons like guns and cutlasses.

A witness said the victim was on a commercial motorcycle, along with two others, when he was shot dead by the followers of the masquerade popularly called “lehin Aponle” .

About 24 hours after the ugly development, irate Islamic youth mobilized themselves and razed a house that is believed to be owned by the masquerade at Anigbio’s compound in Oja-Ale area of Ijaye, within the Abeokuta metropolis.

A community leader in the area, who is also the Balogun of Ijaye and Aare of Egbaland, Ganiyu Babayeju-Alemo said the crisis has forced the Egba Traditional Council in consultation with the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, to suspend other activities of the 2013 masquerade, egungun, festival in Abeokuta.