The Central Mosque at Ita Opo has been locked on the orders of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2.
According to Daily Trust report, the mosque would remain locked pending an amicable resolution of the crisis.
A video had been trending on social media showing the Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdullateef Oladapo, being taken away by the police.
This followed the presence of two (2) Imams, including Alhaji Abdulkabir Oriyomi, who were inching to lead the Jumat prayers for the congregation on Friday, September 22, 2023.
It was learned that the state government, through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, sensing palpable tension over the pending leadership tussle in the mosque, had sent a detachment of mobile police officers to maintain law and order.
Despite the presence of security men, the two claimants stormed the mosque, attempting to lead the Juma’at prayers, which led to the arrest of Oladapo amidst protests from his supporters, who accused the police of bias for arresting one party in the crisis.
Supporters of the two Imams were said to be exchanging abuses among themselves, even though a part of the pulpit was allegedly damaged by angry worshipers who were not happy with the situation.
Following the intervention of some leaders of the community, the arrested Imam was released, but with an undertaking not to cause any breakdown of law and order.
It was alleged that members of the community removed Oladapo over alleged arrogance and highhandedness, the allegations of which have been dismissed.
Oladapo was made the Chief Imam following a 2012 agreement, which moved Oriyomi to another mosque within the Epe division.
However, a member of the Peace Committee of the Central Mosque, Alhaji Fariu Arebi, said in a chat with our correspondent that the committee is exploring an amicable resolution to the crisis, even as he said some members of the community are breaching the 2012 agreement.
He said while the mosque remains locked on the order of the AIG, efforts are ongoing by all stakeholders to resolve the lingering crisis.
An indigene of Epe who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said the crisis over the Chief Imam has been an age-long crisis fuelled by the lingering division in Epe between the Epe-Lagos and Epe-Ijebu in Ogun State.
