A worshipper was killed during morning prayers in the state capital, and five individuals, including an Imam, have been ordered to be placed under detention by an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
Abgafar Sakariyah, 51, Imam of Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque, and four other people, Kosamotu Hakeem, 50; Fokorunso Mukaila, 57; Sakariyau Hafeez, 45; and Abdulwasiu Olatunji, 29, were among those held in detention.
Following an application submitted by the Osun State Police Command to hold the suspects until the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions provided advice, the accused were brought before Magistrate A. Daramola on Monday.
In an ex parte motion, the police asked for an order to put the defendants to a detention facility while they are being investigated and legal counsel is being sought.
Inspector Bashir Sulaiman of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Osogbo, presented an affidavit in support of the application.
The document states that “during Subuhi prayers at the central mosque in Osogbo on January 30, 2026, at about 6:15am, the incident occurred.”
“The deceased, Ahmed Najeem, allegedly entered the mosque and seized the microphone from the Imam during the morning prayer,” Inspector Sulaiman said.
“The Imam was beaten to death by the respondents in an attempt to hit him with the microphone stand,” the affidavit added.
The application was filed in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Osun State, 2018, the police informed the court, emphasizing that a remand order was necessary in order to legitimately hold the suspects.
“There is no other way to remand the respondents in a correctional center pending the outcome of legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (unless the application is granted),” it further stated.
The request was approved by Magistrate Daramola, who also directed that the five suspects be placed under detention at the Ilesa Correctional Center.
In anticipation of the DPP issuing legal advice, the subject was postponed until February 24, 2026, for additional discussion.
A mob of believers reportedly beat Najeem, a vehicle painter, seriously injuring him on Friday, January 30, 2026.
His injuries, however, caused him to pass away later that day, which led to chaos when his friends and family stormed the mosque during Friday Juma’at prayers.
