Police officers reportedly prevented the Chief Imam and other Muslim leaders from conducting Friday prayers following a dispute involving an aide to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
The incident occurred amid an ongoing disagreement between members of the Muslim community and the governor’s aide, with the dispute reportedly escalating to the point where security personnel intervened.
According to reports, the police stopped the Chief Imam and other Muslim leaders from accessing the prayer venue and proceeding with the Friday congregational prayers.
The development reportedly caused tension among members of the Muslim community, who had gathered for the weekly prayers.
The circumstances surrounding the dispute are linked to an altercation involving the governor’s aide and members of the Muslim community. Details of what led to the disagreement, however, remained subject to competing accounts.
The intervention by the police has raised concerns among members of the community, particularly because Friday prayers are a significant weekly religious gathering for Muslims.
The Chief Imam and other religious leaders were reportedly unable to proceed with the scheduled prayers following the police intervention.
The incident comes amid heightened attention to relations between government officials and religious communities in the state.
Authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances that led to the police intervention and explain the actions taken during the incident.
The dispute involving the governor’s aide and the Muslim leaders is also expected to receive further attention as efforts are made to resolve the matter and prevent further tension within the community.
