Pastor, Church members, Pose As Boko Haram to Blackmail Osun Muslims. ……Muslims Kick As Police Release Suspects
Osun Muslim community has opposed the release of Pastor Olatoke, who masterminded the Boko Haram scare in Ikonifin, Ola Oluwa Local government in the State of Osun on Sunday, 18th May, 2014 in conjunction with members of his church, Emmanuel Atanda, Peter Oyedepo and Babatunde Ogunniyi . The Pastor of Ikonifin Baptist Church was arrested yesterday but later released after the intervention of Christian Association Of Nigeria, CAN, in the State.
A Muslim organization in the State, Tawun, in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, and made available to NigerianEcho says the release of Pastor Olatoke was unfair to Muslims.
“We all know the states Muslims are in the country and the name they have ascribed to us; so, to let this issue go just like that without thorough investigation shows that the security agents and Christian Association plotted to tarnish the good image of Islam and Muslims with the reason best known to them.
“This is not the first time Christian would be caught in such malicious act. For quite some time, there have been numerous cases of Christians involved in terrorist related acts, but such cases are never investigated by the Police and SSS, even in instances where they were caught red handed in the act”, the statement said.
The organisation noted that such had happened in the past in some parts of the Country and nothing was done to apprehend any of the masterminds of the crime.
“In 2010 alone, beginning with Messrs. Moses Ashaji and Papa, arrested on Friday, 19th February, 2010 along Akwanga-Jos Road with huge stocks of locally manufactured rifles. Also, Daniel Chayi Gyang, Amos Akila and Mbono Musa, were arrested with deadly weapons, including rocket launchers, grenades and AK47 rifles, intercepted by the SSS in Maiduguri on 30th July, 2010 on their way to Plateau State.
“There was another case of eleven well armed terrorists arrested in August 2010, including the village head of Nasarawa Village, Chief Danteri Bongwat of Langtang South, and an illegal armory located in Kuru, Plateau State. These cases were widely reported in the media, but the SSS never took any action, because they were not Muslims. Still in 2010, the Punch Newspaper reported the arrest of Five (5) Pastors “for operating an Illegal Military outfit” (a Euphemism for terrorist activity, since the word is exclusively reserved for Muslims), in Lagos, with their photographs published on page 11 of the Wednesday edition, 10th March, 2010. The examples are too numerous to cite here. Enough is enough, we cannot be victim of Christian Boko Haram, this Pastor must be investigated” Tawun insisted.
A similar scenario played itself out yesterday when it was rumoured that a Bomb was found in Iwo. Sheikh Daood Imran, the Founder and National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen admonished the people of the State to be vigilant. He said what started in Ikonifin, from his own perspective was aimed at Iwo town.
“Iwo was their target; Ikonifin was just a cover up. Their intention is to create chaos in the State and turn its peace upside down. We will never allow them to make our State ungovernable or use it as a base for their fake Boko Haram in South West. Our God is our strength, if they try to bury this case, both securities involved and their allies will be exposed to the whole World by the power of Almighty Allah, ” he said.
Ikonifin, a community in Ola Oluwa Local government area of Osun State was thrown into anxiety when some men stormed a Church dressed like members of the dreaded Boko Haram .
The pastor of the Baptist church Ikonifin, who is also the CAN President of Ola Oluwa Local Government, allegedly conspired with three members of his church, Emmanuel Atanda, Peter Oyedepo and Babatunde Ogunniyi to dress like Muslim and use turban to cover their faces.
The event occurred around 12pm on Sunday (18/05/2014) during church service. The three men stormed the church premises and started throwing firearms (Banger) to scare the people of the church away. On seeing this, the worshipers took to their heels, running helter skelter to save their lives during which many were injured.
Luck however ran out on these “fake Boko Haramites” as they were arrested when they were trying to escape with their motorcycle by the youth of the community. It was during their severe torture before the arrival of the police that they confessed of being members of Baptist Church Ikonifin and it was a planned work with their pastor.
Pastor Olatoke when arrested by the Police admitted instructing his members to perform the despicable act but added “he was just having some fun”
“To bury such a case, is a crime against Muslims because if the plan was successful, Muslims would have been in danger. It’s unjust until the perpetrators are brought to book; and CAN should be warned to expose any of her members engaging in inter-religious provocation, any conspiracy against Muslims or attempt to destabilize the State of Osun will be resisted”, Imran warned.
Professor O.O Ladipo also called on the State government to arrest the pastor who intended to launch Boko Haram in the State of Osun with the aim of putting Muslims in danger.
