The Chief Imam of Sokupkpan community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Malam Abdullahi Audu, has been lynched to death over allegations that he was spiritually responsible for the death of a resident, Ibrahim Gana.
Audu was beaten to death on Wednesday, witnesses said, adding that the situation threw the entire community into confusion and panic,
Suspicions that the cleric had used spiritual means to harm the deceased triggered a violent mob action which claimed the Imam’s life.
Locals said Gana had been battling with an unknown illness and repeatedly claimed that the Chief Imam was tormenting him in his dreams, after which he died
He reportedly informed his family and friends that the Imama was the spiritual cause of his worsening condition.
“As his health got worse, people started believing his claims. When he eventually died, some angry youths concluded that the Imam was responsible,” a community source said.
On Wednesday, tension rose as Gana’s brothers, Mohammed Shaba, Mamudu Gana, and Ndakpotun Issa as well as others confronted the Chief Imam.
A few elders tried to intervene, but were overpowered by the mob that allegedly attacked the cleric, beating him to death in the process.
“They descended on the Imam, accusing him of killing Gana through witchcraft. They refused to listen to anyone who tried to stop them,” another local said.
The police from the Tsaragi Division have arrested some suspects believed to have spearheaded the attack.
The spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident on Thursday, saying the act was a “brutal homicide.”
She said preliminary investigation showed that after the death of 25-year-old Gana on November 4, his brothers, Mohammed Shaba and Mahmud Gana, accused the Chief Imam of causing his death and mobilised others to lynch him.
Ejire-Adeyemi said “four suspects have been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend others involved,” adding that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, condemned the act and warned residents against resorting to jungle justice.
The remains of the slain Chief Imam have been laid to rest in the community in accordance with Islamic rites.
