OSUN: Cultists attack Islamic cleric i

An Islamic cleric, Abdulwahab Akinola was attacked by armed cultist in Iwo, Osun State.

According to reports Akinola was returning from a preaching session when he met the hoodlums, who attacked him with matchetes and axes. He was left in a pool of his own blood before he was taken to the Obafemi Awolowo teaching hospital in Ife.  

The Muslim community in Iwo, Osun State, have called on the security agencies in the state and Governor Rauf Aregbesola to stop various cult groups operating in the state from unleashing further terror on innocent people in the town.

Residents of the area who spoke to reporters said the hoodlums have taken over the area and attack innocent people indiscriminately.

The Chairman of Iwo Muslim Community, Alhaji Fasasi Mogaji, in a telephone interview residents of Iwo are living in fear as the hoodlums attacks everybody. He said they smoke marijuana and order markets to be closed down at will.

He said, "Iwo town is under siege. The boys who smoke marijuana and other drugs always harass, attack and maim innocent people. 

"They attacked Abdulwahab on Saturday. He was going back home when he ran into these miscreants. 

"They descended upon him and he nearly lost his life. We have reported the case to the police. They told us that they arrested some of them but some influential people in the state always put pressure on them for their release."

Meanwhile, all efforts to speak with with the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, proved abortive.