Edu LGA, Kwara State — Tension and shock have gripped the Sokupkpan community in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State after some angry residents reportedly lynched the community’s Chief Imam, Mallam Abdulahi Audu, over allegations of causing the death of a resident through supernatural means.
The deceased, identified as Abdulahi Audu, was attacked and beaten to death on Wednesday by a mob said to be led by three men: Mohammed Shaba, Mamudu Gana, and Ndakpotun Issa.
Community members said the violence followed the death of a resident, Ibrahim Gana, who had been ill for some time. Before his death, Gana reportedly claimed that he repeatedly saw the Chief Imam attacking him in his dreams, insisting that the cleric was the cause of his deteriorating health.
As Gana’s condition worsened, suspicion spread across the community. Some residents began to believe the accusations, heightening tension.
“People started believing that the Chief Imam was behind Gana’s sickness because Gana insisted he saw him several times in his dreams,” a community source told reporters.
“When Gana eventually died, some angry youths concluded that the Imam was responsible.”
Witnesses said that shortly after Gana’s death, a group of residents confronted the Chief Imam in broad daylight. Despite attempts by some elders to intervene, the mob reportedly beat the cleric to death.
“The mob descended on the Imam, accusing him of killing Gana through witchcraft. They beat him until he died,” the source added.
Authorities from the Tsaragi Police Division were alerted and quickly mobilised to the scene. According to the source, the police arrested the three alleged ringleaders of the lynching: Shaba, Gana, and Issa.
The remains of the slain Chief Imam, Mallam Abdulahi Audu, were buried on Wednesday evening according to Islamic rites. The burial was said to have been conducted in an atmosphere of sorrow and heightened tension, as residents remain divided over the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the killing.
Residents say the community has been thrown into fear, with many worried about possible reprisals and further unrest.
