3 Imams Die In Quick Succession In Inisa, Govt. Shuts Central Mosque

 

By Ismaeel Uthman

THERE is palpable fear within the Muslim community in Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government of the State of Osun, following the death of three Chief Imams of the Central Mosque of the town.

The three Imams died in quick succession, raising suspicions that they might have lost their lives to the spiritual battles over the Chief Imam post.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that there had been hot contests among Muslim clerics and elites in Inisa on who becomes the Chief Imam.

It was gathered that the contests might be responsible for the quick succession of deaths of the three chief Imams.

One of the late Imams, Sheik Surakat Asiyanbi (81), was sick for over 10 years before he died in 2020.

The medium learnt that when Asiyanbi died, his deputy, Qaseem Adebisi (87) was installed as the new Chief Imam of Inisa.

However, Adebisi was able to lead one Jumat Prayer before he fell sick and later died in 2020.

Another Imam, Sheik Mustafa Baruwa (85), who was installed after Adebisi did not spend three months before he gave up the ghost in 2020 also, according to some residents of the community.

Since the death of the three Imams, there has been crisis in the Inisa Muslim community on who to fill for the vacant Chief Imam position.

It would be recalled that the Eesa of Inisa, Chief Enoch Ajiboso, slumped and died while settling rift among the Muslim community members, late December, 2020.

Realizing the danger in the trend of the crisis, the State Government of Osun on Tuesday, shut down the Inisa Central Mosque indefinitely and also banned any central congregation at the Mosque for Eid prayers.

In a public service announcement, the government adduced the inability of the Muslim Community of the town to peacefully install a new Chief Imam for the mosque as reason for the shutdown.

The announcement reads, “Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, as part of efforts to ensure security of lives and properties in that axis of the state, directed that the Central Mosque be shut indefinitely to forestall further religious or communal crises.

“Already, the Mosque has recorded the death of two Imams in quick succession.

“Security operatives have been deployed to the town to enforce the closure and ban on Eid prayers.

“This directive will be in place until reconciliatory process towards amicable resolution is concluded.”

The government urged members of the public especially those in Inisa Township to be guided by the directive.