Gun Violence Possible In Osun, Islamic Cleric Raises Alarm

An Islamic cleric, Imam Olorunlomerue, has raised concerns over the proliferation of firearms allegedly distributed to political thugs during elections, warning that the weapons could later be used to terrorise members of the public, including the politicians who provided them.

The Osun-based cleric, speaking about the security situation in the country, urged politicians who allegedly armed thugs during elections to make efforts to retrieve the weapons before they are used for criminal activities.

“All the guns our politicians have given thugs, they will use those guns to terrorise us later on. Or do you think it’s only the police that have guns?

“Someone on my street came to greet me one time, and the gun I saw in his hand, even the police don’t carry such.

“Please, all of you politicians that released guns to thugs during elections, go and retrieve them. You may not even be able to recover all of them. It is these same guns they will use in terrorising you.

“But we will beg God so they don’t know our dwelling. But for you that gave them, be expecting them; they are coming for you,” he said.

The cleric also expressed concern over what he described as poor handling of security and firearms in the country, including among some police personnel.

He particularly warned against politicians giving firearms to thugs who may be under the influence of substances, saying such individuals could become unpredictable and pose a danger to others.

“Imagine a smoker handling guns. Such a person can suddenly go haywire and start shooting at people. Please, collect all the guns back,” he added.