Blasphemy: Police order arrest of 13 in Lagos

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday ordered the arrest of 13 leaders of warring groups in Gengere Community, Mile 12 Area of Ketu for their alleged involvement in the crisis rocking the business community.

The leaders were said to have set some youths against themselves over an alleged statement credited to one Alhaji Alidu Mohammed, which they claimed disrespected and blasphemed Prophet Mohammed.

Following the directives of the 13 leaders, some hoodlums in the community on April 30, 2021, at about 3.30 pm went on the rampage in the area.

The Lagos Police Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the order for the arrest of the leaders was given during interrogation and interview session with some of the leaders by the commissioner of police at the Conference Room, State Headquarters, Ikeja, Tuesday.

Adejobi said based on preliminary investigation, the Commander Security Committee in Gengere Community, Alhaji Alidu Mohammed was alleged to have disrespected and blasphemed Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and that the hoodlums went on the rampage and attacked Alidu.

He said the hoodlums also set ablaze two cars, vandalised one of his houses before setting ablaze a small building belonging to one Alhaji Mamuda.

“In response to the crisis, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed additional policemen to the area where 45 suspects were arrested.

“As a result of the crisis, one Papa Mohammed, who was stabbed on April 30, 2021, gave up the ghost while on admission on 1st May, 2021.

“In the bid of the Command to restore normalcy and maintain law and order in the area, the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday, ordered for the immediate arrest of the leaders of the warring groups who have been fuelling the crisis in the area as the warring parties still plan for continuous attacks on one another,” he said.

Adejobi further said the police boss also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, DCP Adegoke Fayoade, to immediately take over the case and carry out a discreet investigation into the general crisis in the area particularly the murder and arson cases recorded during the crisis. “Odumosu, however, warned the general public that the Command will not tolerate any act of religious intolerance and lawlessness in any part of the state as any individual or group of persons caught in the act or behave in such a manner that can trigger religious intolerance and lawlessness will be caused to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.