Tension in Osun as Islamic cleric’s sons allegedly murder artisan

There was palpable tension in Oke-Iba area, Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State as four sons of a popular Islamic cleric allegedly killed a 25-year-old artisan, Azeez Adeleke, during an argument.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Wasiu Sadiq, the Islamic cleric’s sons, namely: Simiu, Jelili, Abiodun and Ridwan, were said to be sitting on a motorcycle parked by the deceased, who upon sighting the lads, challenged them which eventually resulted to a hot argument.

Sadiq added that the four brothers descended on the artisan with “charms” which made the deceased weak few minutes after and eventually passed away.

Speaking in the same vein, a close family source, who simply identified himself as Hakeem, said: “He attended a birthday party organized by one of his colleagues, Wasiu, for his child. He had a work at hand earlier, which made him to attend the event late. He got there around 5pm and left 7pm.

“He was leaving when he met four men on his motorcycle. He politely told them to get off his bike. He was afterwards beaten by the guys and his clothes were tore to shred.

“He struggled to get on the bike and got down at a filling station along Ekoende, strangely asking people around the area to give him water.

” There was apprehension among the people that he had been hit by a powerful charm, as he gave up the ghost minutes later.”

Hakeem, who became more emotional while briefing newsmen, said the incident had thrown members of the family including the residents of the area into serious mourning.

Meanwhile, a resident of the community, Mr Semiu Adeyemi, who resides some metres away from the scene of the incident, recounted how the suspects had been victimising the people of the area with impunity.

He said the four brothers had constituted a big threat to the area, adding that they always threaten passers-by with charms at the slightest provocation.

Adeyemi, therefore, called on the Police and human rights organizations to come to their rescue by ensuring that justice eventually prevailed.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Folasade Odoro, said the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Ige, had directed a thorough investigation into the matter.

Odoro explained that the father of the deceased, Waheed Adeleke, reported the incident on Monday around 1:30am.

“The deceased was lying unconsciously beside his motorcycle at TJ filling station and was then conveyed to Alayo Private Hospital where a doctor confirmed him dead.

“Information revealed that some boys fought him at Emiloju Area of Ikirun where he attended his friend’s birthday.

“His remains had since been deposited in morgue for autopsy. Five suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime,” she said.