By George Omagbemi
The Nigeria Police in Enugu State have reportedly barred the Chief Imam of Owerri Road Central Mosque, Imam Murtala Dahiru, and other Muslim leaders from attending Friday prayers following a dispute over the leadership of the mosque.
The Council of Ulamas and Imams of Enugu State alleged that the restriction followed a petition by Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah on Special Duties, who reportedly claimed to have removed Imam Dahiru as Chief Imam.
The Council rejected the claim, insisting that Sambo had no authority to remove Dahiru because the Imam was appointed by the Council, which it said was responsible for his removal.
According to the Council, some of its members were arrested on September 30, after leaving the Department of State Services office in Enugu, where they had gone to submit a petition concerning the dispute.
The Council alleged that the Muslim leaders were taken to the State Intelligence Bureau at the police headquarters and shown Sambo’s petition. It further claimed they were made to sign an undertaking not to attend Jumat prayers at the mosque until another Chief Imam was installed.
The Council has since petitioned National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, describing the reported restriction as unlawful and demanding its immediate reversal.
It also maintained that the dispute is a religious and civil matter and called for intervention to prevent further escalation.
As of Friday, there was no immediate public response from the Enugu State Police Command, Sambo or the state government to the allegations.
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