The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condemned the incident in a statement on Monday, describing it as another example of growing anti-Muslim hostility in Yorubaland
By Titilope Adako
Masquerades have allegedly invaded a mosque and the residence of an Imam in Oke Agbe, Akoko North Local Government Area of Ondo State, beating up his wives and children.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condemned the incident in a statement on Monday, describing it as another example of growing anti-Muslim hostility in Yorubaland.
According to MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the attack occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
He said the development affirms the organisation’s long-standing concerns over the treatment of Muslims in the South West.
“This is persecution galore. The number of cases reported to MURIC on a daily basis is alarming,” he said.
Akintola described the attack as “weird, irrational and barbaric,” adding that it further proves the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in the region.
He also accused the traditional ruler of the town of imposing fines on the victims instead of sanctioning the attackers.
“To add salt to injury, the king of the town imposed fines on the Muslim victims after the attack allegedly because the Muslim women ‘screamed and cursed the masquerades while they were being beaten instead of crying and begging’.
“The Imam and his wives were ordered to provide nine goats, seven sheep and 200 pieces of kolanuts by Monday, June 16, or face banishment. The king also reportedly threatened that Islam must no longer be practised in the area,” he said.
MURIC rejected the punishment, describing it as a gross miscarriage of justice.
“The king’s judgement contradicts the principles of natural justice. This is 21st-century Nigeria, not a primitive era. It is crude, archaic, parochial and draconian. This fine must not stand,” Akintola said.
He called on the Ondo State Government to intervene, warning that nothing must happen to the Imam and his family.
MURIC also urged the police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, insisting that the attackers are not unknown.
The group, however, commended the police in Oke Agbe for enabling the observance of Friday prayers despite attempts to prevent it.
“We implore the police to ensure this case is not swept under the carpet. Injustice anywhere is an invitation to injustice everywhere,” Akintola added.
He said the attack was yet another reminder of what Yoruba Muslims face, including political marginalization, economic deprivation, educational discrimination, and social exclusion.
“All the noise about religious tolerance in the South West is mere political rhetoric. Yoruba Muslims have never been fully integrated into mainstream Yoruba society,” he said.
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