Members of the Ondo State Muslim community have protested at the Area 17 Zonal Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) along Reuben Fasoranti Road, Akure, to express their displeasure over the recent assault on Muslim families in Oke-Agbe Akoko.
Speaking on behalf of the community and other stakeholders, Alhaji Abdulazeez Surajudeen Folayemi, a prominent representative of the Muslim community, condemned the incident in strong terms and demanded that justice be served. He called for appropriate legal action to deter similar acts in the future.
He also rejected what he described as a “so-called settlement” between the parties involved, insisting that it was baseless and unacceptable to the Muslim leadership in Ondo State.
“The proposed settlement holds no water and should be thrown into the trash bin,” Alhaji Folayemi said firmly.
Addressing the protesters, the AIG Zonal Commander Ajani Musibau Owolabi assured the delegation that the matter would be handled constitutionally and in accordance with the law. He further stated that if the situation could not be resolved at the zonal level, he would not hesitate to transfer the case to Abuja for further investigation and questioning.
The AIG also commended the Muslim community for their calmness and maturity in handling the situation, describing their approach as peaceful and constructive.
The protest follows a petition by the Muslim Initiative on Rights and Justice (MIRAJ), a Muslim Right Advocacy Group which had earlier demanded the arrest and prosecution of individuals accused of instigating, motivating and coordinating the assaults on the innocent and vulnerable Muslim family in the local government.
The petition which was made available to the media and signed by Adeniyi Alimi Adams, National Amir (President) of MIRAJ, accuses individuals including Chief Elekan Akanbi, Akanbi Dayo, Balogun Adewale (a.k.a Chief Olisa), Adeosun Leke (a.k.a C Leke), Akinyemi Adeleye (a.k.a Olufimo), Ajayi Odunayo Smart (a.k.a Ijoba), Akanbi Korede (a.k.a Tiyen), Akanbi Segun among others, of religious provocation, criminal assault occasioning harm, conspiracy, attempted murder and violations of fundamental rights of the Muslims in Oke-Agbe Akoko.
According to MIRAJ, the attacks occurred on June 12, 2025, when a group of masqueraders, allegedly under the directive of the accused individuals, launched a violent and unprovoked assault on the family of Imam Muhammed Hussain Jegede (TAQWEEM) and other Muslim residents. The attacks, the petition says, began when a daughter of Imam Jegede ignored whistles from the masqueraders and went back into the house. The situation allegedly escalated when Ajayi Odunayo Smart a.k.a Ijoba physically attacked the Imam’s son, prompting further assault on family members, including an aged mother, the Imam’s wives and children.
MIRAJ claims the attacks were not only physical but also deliberate acts of religious intolerance, citing that a group of provocatively dressed women returned that night to mock the family by dancing provocatively in front of their home. When one of the Imam’s daughters attempted to intervene, the masqueraders and their followers allegedly stormed the house and brutalized everyone in sight, including children and underaged kids using a skin-irritating leaf known locally as “yayo.”
The petition adds that two of the Imam’s wives were beaten to the point of unconsciousness and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. The family was later threatened to pay a hefty fine, leave the town on exile or face death consequences.
MIRAJ cited several violations of the Nigerian Criminal Code and Constitution, including Section 204 (insult to religion), Section 366 and 367 (compelling action by intimidation and assault), and relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended in 2022).
The group stated:
“Why should these individuals violate the religious rights of peace and law-abiding Muslims in the community? Why must they trample on their constitutional rights to dignity and freedom of worship?”
Describing the incidents as attempted murder and acts tantamount to terrorism, the group emphasized the need for immediate arrest, thorough investigation, and prosecution of the accused individuals to avoid further breakdown of law and order in the area.
MIRAJ concluded the petition by urging security authorities to act decisively, warning that “justice delayed is justice denied”, and stressing that “there can be no peace without justice.”
The petition was also copied to several legal chambers across Lagos, indicating the group’s resolve to pursue the case through all legal means.
The Nigeria Police Force under the AIG has since approves the petition and have written invites to all those accused in the act of terrorism and criminal assaults so as to commence investigations into the matter.
In attendance at the Zonal Police Command Office were Adeniyi Alimi Adams NATIONAL AMIR/President and Abudulrahman Adio Shakirullahi, National Director of mobilization for Muslim Initiative on Rights and Justice (MIRAJ).
It should be recalled that MIRAJ spearheaded the cases of attacks against Muslim Women in Veil (purdah) in Lagos and Ibadan recently.
Also in attendance were FOMWAN members headed by the State Amirah, Alhaja Medinat Omikunke, Representatives of Supreme council for Islamic Affairs in Ondo State, Leadership of NACOMYO, League of Imams and Alfas and the DPO of Oke Agbe Police station to mention but a few.
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