Three Arrested As Residents Beat Chief Imam To Death

Some angry residents in Sokupkpan community, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly lynched the Chief Imam of the area, identified as Abdulahi Audu, for alleged involvement in the death of a resident, Ibrahim Gana.

According to multiple sources who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the violent incident occurred after Gana, before his death, accused the Chief Imam of being responsible for his deteriorating health.

Gana was said to have repeatedly told people that he frequently saw the Chief Imam attacking him in his dreams, claiming the cleric was the spiritual cause of his illness.

The source explained that as Gana’s health worsened, suspicion and tension spread throughout the community.

“People started believing that the Chief Imam was behind Gana’s sickness because Gana insisted he saw him several times in his dreams. When Gana eventually died, some angry youths concluded that the Imam was responsible,” the source said.

On Wednesday, the tension escalated into a mob violence.

The Chief Imam was attacked by a group of residents allegedly led by three men identified as Mohammed Shaba, Mamudu Gana, and Ndakpotun Issa.

The attackers allegedly beat him to death in broad daylight despite attempts by a few community elders to intervene.

“The mob descended on the Imam, accusing him of killing Gana through witchcraft. They beat him until he died.”

Authorities from the Tsaragi Police Division were said to have quickly mobilised to the scene after receiving reports of the killing.

The source told SaharaReporters that the police arrested the three prime suspects believed to have led the mob attack.

“The police have arrested three suspects so far — Mohammed Shaba, Mamudu Gana, and Ndakpotun Issa — who were alleged to have played key roles in the lynching,” the source added.

Following the incident, the remains of the slain Chief Imam, Abdulahi Audu, were buried according to Islamic rites on Wednesday evening, amid tears and tension in the community.

However, the Kwara State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the killing as of the time of filing this report.