Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, southwestern Nigeria, a deadly confrontation unfolded on Friday morning at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque on B.A. Adigun Street, Ayedun Estate, Ogo‑Oluwa area, resulting in the death of a worshipper identified as Hameed Najeem. The violent incident occurred shortly after the dawn (Fajr) prayer and has prompted a full police investigation amid community tensions and arrests.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Najeem, a local car painter and father of two, attended the early morning prayer as usual. Following the conclusion of the Fajr service and as the imam began delivering a sermon, the situation abruptly deteriorated. Witnesses say Najeem stood up from his place, seized a microphone tripod stand used by the preacher, and attempted to strike the cleric. The motive behind his sudden aggression remains unclear, with some observers suggesting he may have been under the influence of alcohol or provoked by aspects of the sermon.
The imam reportedly dodged the blow and fled the mosque building to avoid injury. Other worshippers immediately intervened, attempting to restrain Najeem and prevent further escalation. As the struggle intensified, the altercation spilled out of the mosque and onto the surrounding premises. A number of those present say Najeem resisted the effort to subdue him, reportedly biting several individuals in the commotion.
During the ensuing chaos, Najeem was overpowered by a group of mosque attendees and later fell into a gutter in front of the mosque. Eyewitnesses differ on whether he sustained his fatal injuries inside the mosque building or after the confrontation moved outside, but there is broad agreement that the beating was severe and the violence prolonged. Some accounts indicate he was beaten until unconsciousness, with panic quickly spreading among early‑morning traders and residents in the vicinity.
The immediate aftermath saw the deployment of police units from the nearby Ataoja Estate Police Division to the scene. Officers arrived, secured the area, and later transported the severely injured Najeem away for medical attention. However, medical personnel later confirmed that he died from injuries sustained in the confrontation before or shortly after arrival at a health facility. His body was subsequently deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital mortuary, where authorities indicated it would undergo further examination.
In response to the incident, the Osun State Police Command confirmed they have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The police public relations officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, clarified that preliminary findings suggest the fatal beating occurred around the mosque but not inside the prayer hall itself. Tactical teams have been deployed to maintain public order, and community members have been urged to remain calm as investigations proceed.
Contrary to initial reports that no arrests had yet been made, more recent statements from law enforcement and local media indicate that the Chief Imam of the mosque and three other individuals directly connected to the incident have been taken into custody for questioning and further legal action. These arrests are part of the effort to determine accountability and to prevent further unrest in the community. Authorities have stated that additional arrests may follow as inquiries continue.
The families of the deceased and some worshippers present at the mosque have expressed outrage. Relatives, including a man identifying himself as Nurudeen, criticised the handling of the situation and demanded justice for Najeem’s death. Some family members reportedly returned to the mosque later in the day, causing heightened tension and prompting a temporary disruption of the Jummah midday prayer service. A small group of aggrieved relatives and supporters occupied the mosque’s entrance, preventing further worship activities and calling for a thorough and transparent legal process.
Community residents and traders in the Ogo‑Oluwa area described a scene of shock and unease in the hours following the incident. Some market stalls and shops in the immediate vicinity of the mosque closed temporarily as local business owners reacted to the unrest and the police presence. Others remained open but reported a subdued atmosphere, with heightened public anxiety about potential reprisals or further conflict.
Religious leaders and civil society actors have also weighed in on the incident. Some expressed concern that the episode underscores deeper tensions within communal religious spaces and the need for effective conflict de‑escalation mechanisms. Analysts emphasise that places of worship, often seen as sanctuaries for communal unity and spiritual reflection, can become flashpoints when unresolved disagreements or behavioural issues escalate without moderation.
Legal experts point out that this case raises significant questions about security, lawful restraint, and the limits of collective action in contexts where individuals pose immediate threats to others. The legal process that follows will be critical in determining whether actions taken by those involved constituted self‑defence, unlawful violence, or another offence under Nigerian criminal law. Authorities have indicated that forensic findings, witness testimonies, and other evidentiary material will be central to forthcoming charges.
State authorities and community leaders have appealed for calm in the wake of the incident, urging residents and worshippers to respect the ongoing police investigation and to avoid actions that could inflame communal tensions. Police have reiterated their commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring that any individual found responsible for unlawful violence is held accountable through due process.
As the investigation proceeds, the Osogbo case serves as a stark reminder of how moments of conflict, even within sacred spaces, can have lethal outcomes when grievances are expressed through violence rather than dialogue and lawful intervention.
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