The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four persons in connection with the death of a mosque worshiper, Hameed Najeem, in Osogbo, the state capital.
The deceased, identified as a car painter, reportedly died following an altercation that occurred after morning prayer (Fajr) at the Ummu Haani Adigun Central Memorial Mosque in Ogo Oluwa area of ​​the city.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development during a telephone interview with Newslodge on Friday.
“I can confirm that four suspects are currently in police custody in connection with the incident,” Ojelabi said.
He revealed that the state police commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, had ordered a discreet and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The police commissioner has taken an interest in the case and has ordered a discreet and high-level investigation to be carried out,” added the police spokesman.
Ojelabi further stated that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further treatment.
“The case has been transferred to the state CID. The suspects took the law into their hands,” he said.
According to previous accounts, Najeem had participated in the morning congregational prayer before an argument broke out between him and the mosque’s imam during a sermon.
A witness said the imam left the prayer site when the situation became tense, while other worshipers tried to restrain the deceased.
Another source explained that the confrontation later moved outside the mosque premises, where Najeem was reportedly overpowered during the fight.
The situation reportedly became tense later that day, when people identified as relatives of the deceased visited the mosque, accusing the imam and some worshipers of being involved in Najeem’s death.