Lagos, Nigeria - Police have beefed up security in Isale-Eko area of Lagos State following rumours of alleged plan by some cultists group to attack the leaders of Muslims residing in the area.
No reason was given for the planned attack, but report has it that a yet-to-be ascertained number of people were allegedly killed when fight started on the Island about four days ago.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olubode Ojajuni, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY on phone last night, however, advised members of the public to disregard the rumour and go about their respective businesses without any fear. He said nobody died in connection with any plan attack.
Ojajuni said the command has deployed armed mobile policemen to mount guard in the area to avoid any break down of law and order as a result of the rumour.
"I tell you that there was nothing like that. I strongly believe that it was a plot by some hoodlums in the area to loot people's property. The command, however, is not taking any chances as we have stationed some mobile policemen in the area to avoid any break down of law and order," he said.
Lagos Police PRO added that by the time the news of the alleged plan to attack the Muslims in the area got to the command headquarters, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, was detailed to investigate the matter.
According to him, it was in the course of investigations that it was discovered that it was a mere romour staged managed by some people who were hell bent in causing confusion in the area.
During the visit to Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday, the monarch told the police team to dismiss the allegation as a rumour planned and hatched by some social miscreants.
"However, it is pertinent to say that there was a minor misunderstanding between some groups which invariably led to the rumour," he said.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm prevails in Isale-Eko area for a possible violence as cultists have allegedly threatened to attack Muslims during Jumat prayer today.
The cultists, who are said to have listed some Muslim leaders in the area for elimination, are reportedly planning to use the opportunity of the Jumat service to abduct them.
One of the Muslim leaders allegedly being hunted by the cultists, Amir Kamardeen Ajala, who is the leader of Morcas Dawrah Organisation in Isale-Eko, has already petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ade Ajakaiye, on the matter.
In the petition written by his solicitor, Mr. K .O Bakare, Ajala said there has been oral threat to attack Muslims by the cultists and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).
He said one of the places slated for attack is the famous Campus Square where he leads Jumat prayer every Friday.
Ajala urged the police to nip the threat in the bud and forestall the attack, "which is capable of leading to a full blown sectarian crisis in the state."
Another place allegedly earmarked for attack by the cultists, according to the petitioner, is Enuowa Square, where Uztaz Abdul Fattah Ajitokewu leads Jumat prayer weekly.
Violence had engulfed the whole of Isale-Eko between last Saturday and Tuesday following a massive attack on Muslims by the cultists.
About 50 Muslims were allegedly wounded in the attack, while many others are allegedly yet to be found dead or alive.
The attack was reportedly precipitated by the renunciation of paganism by the former Abose Olokun of Lagos (Chief Priest of Olokun goddess), Chief Abdulazeez Jebooda, who has since been converted to Islam.