Islamic Cleric Arrested After Threatening ‘Isese’ Traditional Adherents

Image Credit: Vanguard Newspaper

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a controversial Islamic cleric, Alfa Salah Ayodeji for allegedly threatening some traditional religion practitioners in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on orders of the state police commissioner.

Alfa Salah who had earlier been declared wanted by the police was paroled after his arrest on Wednesday, according to Vanguard Newspaper.

It was learned that Alfa Salah was seen pleading for forgiveness, saying he did not know that his action was dangerous and capable of causing a breach of peace in the state.

Contrary to what he said in the video, Ayodeji, who appeared sober and apologetic, said the state Police Commissioner, Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, did not send him to threaten the traditional religion practitioners nor was she aware of his visit to the shop of the people he harassed based on their religious difference.

The Islamic cleric, who claimed to run two Quranic schools in Ilorin and Ogbomoso, Òyó State, apologised to the couple, traditional religion adherents, Muslim organisations, and members of the Alaran family, whom he had threatened.

“It is true that I went to Alaran compound to threaten and warn Tajudeen and his wife about Isese religion, which I think they were worshipping. I didn’t know that what I was doing was dangerous and could lead to a religious war.

“I want to beg all Nigerians to pardon me for what I had done. I’m begging Tajudeen, the Alaran family and the Alfas for what I had done. Nobody sent me, it was when the video went viral that I realised that what I had done was wrong,” he was quoted as saying.

He begged Nigerians, the state government, the state Police Command and his victims to pardon him, claiming that he had no prior police record.

The police declared Salah wanted on Monday after he threatened a family believed to be traditional religion practitioners.

The Police Commissioner, Adelesi, in a meeting with Salah Ayodeji’s family on Monday night asked them to produce the suspect by Wednesday for alleged terrorism and defamation.

The state police chief also chastised the family for “the poor training of their son”.

“Is it because Tajudeen’s wife is from Osun State? Does that mean she’s a traditionalist? Or are there no Muslims in Osun State,” the police commissioner had said.