Tension Grips Muslim Community Over Arrest Of Imam, 5 Others In Aba
Tension has gripped the Muslim Community in Aba, Abia State following the
arrest of the Chief Imam of Aba Central Mosque, Alhaji Idris Bashir; his
deputy, Ahaji Bello Maija-a as well as a serving member of the National
Youth Service Corps over suspected bomb at the mosque
The former Amirul Hajj, Abia State, Alhaji Musa Iheakaram who spoke to
journalists in Aba lamented that his members now live in fear as every
Muslim is being branded a Boko Haram insurgent.
“Since our people are being terrorized by the military, they are no longer
comfortable. Most of them are even yearning to go back to their various
states. It’s just like the state doesn’t want the existence of Muslims. We
have been living in peace with our Christian brethren all along in the
state, but this time around every Muslim is being seen as Boko Haram member.
We have been working together with security operatives as far as we are
concerned here in Aba, but the harassment of the Muslim community has
degenerated to an embarrassing level.
“If you are in a place where the condition is no longer favourable for you
to live, then the next thing is for you to leave the place. This is the
situation the Muslim community is facing in Aba,” he stated
According to him, “A group of soldiers with seven hilux vehicles invaded
the Aba Central Mosque at about 2am. They searched the whole mosque and
arrested the Chief Imam of Aba Central Mosque, his deputy and a youth corps
member posted to us. We have been making contacts since that day. Up till
now, nobody knows where they are being detained.
“It didn’t end at the Aba Central Mosque, they also went to the onions
market at Uratta market, searched everywhere in the mosque, but didn’t see
the Imam. They took over the phones of our brothers who were in that market
at about 3am and arrested the chairman of the onions market and his
secretary.
“We also learnt that they went to the yam market and took away the chairman
of the yam sellers. The Sarki of Ogbor Hill was also arrested by the
soldiers who carried out a similar operation in that zone.
Iheakaram called on the military authorities to release the detainees as
nothing was found on them. He alleged that soldiers denied him access to the
Army Units at Ngwa High School and Ngwa road as he went to make enquiries
about the detainees.
“I have called the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu) and
the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara and contacted other personalities,
but nothing has happened yet. We are still patient because we are law
abiding people.”
“I am calling on the military officials to release our people
unconditionally. They are innocent. Two, if they are alleging that there are
bombs in the Mosque, there is no issue of bomb here in Aba Mosques. Since
this insecurity problem, we have policing ourselves.”
Attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade Ohafia or
the Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion, Asa, failed to yield fruit.
However, Police Commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim said he was yet to receive any
official complaint from the Aba Muslim community on the incident.
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