The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, apparently reacting to the accusation by Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) linking the masquerade attacks on the Central Mosque, Ikun Ekiti to his hostility to Ekiti Muslims, has warned that any masquerade found attacking people in worship houses will henceforth be publicly unveiled and arrested.
Governor Fayose, who gave this reaction at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, warned masqueraders against disrupting public peace.
He condemned the recent attack on the Central Mosque Ikun Ekiti, describing the incident as unfortunate and barbaric.
He said the masquerade festival being held in the community was meant to be a fiesta through which residents, especially children, would be entertained and not one to unleash violence on residents.
There was violence in Ikun Ekiti on May 30 as masqueraders attacked the Central Mosque, causing destruction to the mosque, injuring Muslim worshippers and vandalized cars parked in front of the mosque.
Fayose, who did not speak on what his government had done to apprehend and bring the criminal masquerades to justice, however, enjoined all residents of the state to continue to live together in peace, especially now that the 2018 governorship election was drawing nearer.
On the relocation of a shrine in Ikere-Ekiti to pave way for the dualization of the township road, Fayose said that he had ordered the release of N1 million to execute the task.
The DEFENDER had earlier reported that the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) described the attack by masquerades on the Central Mosque, Ikun Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Tuesday May 30 as provocative to Yoruba Muslims.
MURIC, in a statement signed by his Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the attacks could not be isolated from the “hostile and belligerent attitude of the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, towards Muslims in the state as well as their mosques.”
