In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 23 May, 2014


MPAC URGES THE POLICE TO INVESTIGATE BOKO HARAM WANNABEES

When it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “Why, we only want to make peace!”
Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not.
Surah Baqarah 11-12

(Lagos, 23/05/2014) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) is calling for a police crime investigation of a reported case of stage-managed Boko Haram-type attack by Pastor Olatoke in Ikonifin, Ola Oluwa Local government area of Osun State on Sunday 18th May, 2014. The pastor of the Baptist church Ikonifin, who is also the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President of Ola Oluwa Local Government, was reported to have conspired with three members of his church, Emmanuel Atanda, Peter Oyedepo and Ogunniyi Babatope during the church services to dress like Muslims and use turban to cover their faces.

Published report of the incident states that “these three men stormed the church premises and started throwing firearm (Banger) to scare the people of the church away. On seeing this, the worshipers took to their heels, running helter skelter to save their lives during which many were injured. But it was unfortunate for those men as they were arrested when they were trying to escape with their motorcycle by the youths of the community. It was during their severe torture before the arrival of the police they now revealed that they are members of Baptist Church Ikonifin and it was a planned work with their pastor.”


On interrogation, the pastor admitted to sponsoring the attack, but claimed it was just a drama. This is illogical and should be seen as a calculated attempt to cause chaos in Osun State by the same groups who have been creating all kind of problems for the Aregbesola’s administration. Because of the apparent criminal motive behind this incident and the actors’ incitement of recriminatory and hate attacks on the Muslim community in Osun State and beyond, we urge the SSS to assist local and state law enforcement agencies in the investigation and bring charges against them.


Given the nation’s state of heightened insecurity and previous attacks on houses of worship attributed to non-Muslim section of the Boko Haram cult, it is most important that the CAN openly condemn and disassociate itself from these incidents.



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Links:

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=166480
http://www.nairaland.com/1749650/pastor-arrested-boko-haram-drama-osun


———
 
Disu Kamor
 
Executive Chairman
Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC
Nigeria.
 
e-mails: communications@mpac-ng.org, kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org
Website: www.mpac-ng.org

 

 

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