Another resident of the area, who was said to have been shot by the masquerade narrowly escaped death by the whiskers when the masquerade and his supporters went gaga. Both Amusa and his friend, who escaped death were said to be riding on a motorcycle when they strayed into the group of masquerades who challenged them for riding into their midst and were ordered to disembark immediately.
Daily Sun further learnt that the deceased and his friend were reluctant in complying with the masquerade’s order of disembarking and the latter was infuriated and allegedly brought out a gun and shot at the victim.
Daily Sun was further told that Amusa laid dead in the pool of his blood, while his friend escaped unhurt with many residents scampering for safety. The killing of the Islamic cleric was said to have infuriated members of an unnamed Islamic sect in the town who yesterday mobilised their members and went to the home of a masquerade leader, “Alapinni’’ with kegs of petrol and set his egungun grove ablaze. The rampaging members of the Muslim sect were also said to have also entered the masquerade’s family house, Chief Dada in Ijaiye area.
They forcibly removed many egungun’s costumes in his custody, which they dragged and later set on fire at the entrance of his house with the charred remains of the burnt costume littering the area yesterday evening. The Balogun of Ijaye and Aare of Egbaland, Chief Ganiu Babayeju-Alemo while reacting to the incident told Daily Sun yesterday that the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo had placed a ban on the continuation of the 17-day festival this year. Explaining the circumstances that led to the death of Amusa and the burning of Dada’s house, he said: “I learnt that one Egungun with some boys following him with cudgels and cutlasses and guns were shooting sporadically into the air and incidentally the bullet hit one man who was riding on a motorcycle and the man died. He adds: “We invited the police who came and took the corpse away and stopped the riot.”
But this morning, the members of the Muslim sect the dead man belonged to just came into Ijaye with petrol and burnt the house of the man in the masquerade. I had to phone His Royal Majesty, the Alake that something was happening in Ijaye and we needed the assistance of the police.’’
“The police, vigilance service and fire men all came here. The man that died being a Muslim leader, I think that was why his people came here this morning to foment trouble.’’ Meanwhile, the state Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of four persons including a masquerade over the death of the Islamic cleric. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi said the command’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye had ordered a thorough investigations into the matter. Adejobi also stated that the accused persons would be charged to court as soon investigations into the matter was concluded.
Source
Sun News
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