The Osun State Government has ordered indefinite closure of the Inisa Central Mosque in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of ghr state.
The government also banned the Eid prayer from taking place in the community.
The decisions were borne out the lingering crisis that has engulfed the town over the selection and turbanning of a new Chief Imam for the town.
The decisions were contained in a press statement released on Tuesday, 11 May, 2021 by the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Prince Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo.
The Government said the decision was made to forestall breakdown of law and order in the community.
The statement reads:
“The Government of the State of Osun hereby announces its decision to shut down Inisha Central Mosque in Odo-Otin local government area of the State.
“The government also banned any central congregation at the Mosque for Eid prayers.
“This follows the inability of the Muslim Community of the town to peacefully install a new Imam for the mosque.
“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 crisis.
“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.
“Members of the public are advised to be guided by this directive”.
It would be recalled that former Chairman of Agege Local Government and ex-Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos, Chief Enock Kolapomoye Ajiboso, who was Eesa (Prime Minister) of the community, died on December 20, 2020 during one of the meetings called to settle the crisis.
