A Muslim worshipper identified simply as Najeem was allegedly beaten to death following an altercation at a central mosque in Osogbo, Osun State, early on Friday.

The incident occurred shortly after the dawn (Fajr) prayer at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque, located on B.A. Adigun Street, Ayedun Estate, Ogo Oluwa Area of the state capital.

Eyewitnesses said Najeem, a car painter and father of two, had joined other worshippers for prayers before a confrontation reportedly broke out between him and the mosque’s Imam during the sermon.

According to multiple accounts, the deceased allegedly stood up during the sermon, removed the microphone tripod stand and attempted to attack the Imam. The cleric reportedly fled the mosque to avoid being assaulted.

Some worshippers were said to have intervened in an attempt to restrain Najeem, but the situation quickly escalated into a violent struggle that spilled outside the mosque premises. Witnesses alleged that he was beaten during the scuffle and later fell into a gutter in front of the mosque.

A worshipper who spoke on condition of anonymity said the deceased appeared aggressive and possibly intoxicated.

“He suddenly stood up, pulled down the microphone stand and tried to hit the Imam. When the Imam ran away, some people held him. There was a struggle, and he was beaten. He also bit some people before he fell into the gutter,” the witness said.

Another eyewitness described Najeem as physically strong, adding that several people were needed to overpower him.

When this correspondent visited the scene, bloodstains were visible on wooden planks near a gutter in front of the mosque.

Relatives of the deceased later arrived at the mosque, accusing some worshippers of being responsible for Najeem’s death. Their presence briefly heightened tension in the area, prompting panic among residents and traders, some of whom hurriedly closed their shops.

As a result of the incident, Jummah prayers were suspended, while police officers were deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Some residents claimed that operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) later visited the area and arrested the Imam and two other worshippers, although this could not be independently confirmed.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victim was not killed inside the mosque but “around the mosque premises.”

“The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. No suspect has been arrested yet, but investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible,” Ojelabi said.

He added that the deceased’s body had been deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital mortuary, while the Divisional Police Officer and tactical teams had been deployed to maintain law and order.

Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. (Guardian)