An Islamic cleric, Khalifah Mojeed Alawaye, whose the Ramadan tafseer programme was invaded by masked gunmen on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Imam Compound in Akesan Market, Oyo, has opened up on the near-tragic incident, saying that his teachings had pitched him against some clerics in the town.
Alawaye told LEADERSHIP that the sudden attack occurred around 1:20pm on the fateful day when the assailants invaded the venue of the religious gathering with guns and cutlasses, attacking women and the aged participants.
Speaking to our correspondent through telephone on Wednesday, the cleric explained that some Islamic clerics and Muslim faithful found his messages against alcohol consumption, traditional sacrifices, and use of human parts for rituals, offensive.
“We speak truth from the Holy Quran and Hadith to warn against those indulging in these practices that are not found in the holy books. I preach against Alfas (Islamic clerics) drinking alcohol, making sacrifices and those using human parts because we shall stand before God one day to account for our deeds.
“My job is not to turn anybody away from them, but to tell them, so that I can be absolved before God on the judgement day. We have become enemies of some clerics because of it and those supporting some powerful politicians,” Alawaye said.
He further said that some politicians in the town were also against his teachings for calling on notable Oyo politicians to toe the path of others by demanding that the governorship seat in the state be zoned to Oyo.
“I have been calling on Oyo politicians to also make the demand for the position of the governor to come to Oyo. We have educated people here too who can become the governor. I have been telling our men not to panic under a woman and demand for their rights as the Holy Quran has asked us to demand for our rights. That is not a wrong message, but some people are not happy with it. I think it could also be a part of the reason for the attack on me.
“They even pointed gun at my brother when they didn’t see me. They threatened to kill him, but he dared them. I don’t know what is wrong in demanding for our rights. Supporters of these people could be against me for such teaching,” Alawaye said.
He added that the attackers came with the intention to eliminate him but he escaped with the assistance of his subordinates while the hoodlums pounced on the elderly who were trying to escape the violence scene.
The cleric also disclosed that phones and other belongings of his followers were stolen during the fracas, adding that the hoodlums fled the scene when the youths later summoned the courage to confront and identify them.
According to Alawaye, some of the youths sustained machete cuts on their legs and some aged persons were beaten by the attackers while forcing their way out of the area.
He added the matter was later reported at the Ojongbodu Police Station in Oyo West local government area and later at the Police Area Command in Durbar where the Area Commander later led a team of police operatives to the scene for the cleric to proceed with the sermon around 4pm.
The chairman of Oyo Global Forum (OGF), Mr. Taiwo Adebayo, condemned the incident, saying, “We fought seriously to combat the reign of such violence in Oyo and thought it’s over. It’s worrying to now see this kind of violent action.
“The police must not only ensure that the perpetrators are identified and made to face legal consequences, but also strengthen their response capabilities to prevent future occurrence.”
