Iseyin, Nigeria — A violent episode unfolded on the festive occasion of Eid when members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Iseyin, Oyo State, were involved in an attack on a Muslim family, prompting widespread condemnation and official sanctions against the church involved. The incident, documented in a video that swiftly spread across social media platforms, has incited significant public and organizational outcry.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has taken decisive action by sanctioning the church’s pastor, who was directly involved in the altercation with Mr. Sulaimon AbdulAzeez and his two wives. Local sources, including Iseyin’s own Apostle Sunday Ogundairo, confirmed the pastor’s and some congregants’ involvement. The assault reportedly arose after the pastor objected to the family’s slaughtering of a ram in proximity to the church premises.
CAN’s response included not only reprimanding the pastor but also mandating the relocation of his church in an effort to quell any further escalations and ensure ongoing peace in the community. This sanction has been part of broader discussions aimed at reinforcing harmony in Iseyin, a town that suddenly found itself a focal point of religious tension.
The Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), represented by Executive Director Prof. Isiaq Akintola, has also voiced strong condemnation of the incident, linking the attack to previous disputes over noise pollution that had reportedly been addressed by local authorities, including the king of Iseyin. Prof. Akintola highlighted the timing of the assault, noting it coincided with preparations for the religious celebrations on Sallah day, specifically June 16, 2024.
Tensions escalated when the church’s pastor reportedly enlisted the services of soldiers to confront the Muslim family, an act that Akintola criticized as “unjust, callous, and inhuman.” The employment of military personnel in the dispute not only exacerbated the situation but also raised questions about the involvement of Nigeria’s armed forces in civil disputes.
Prof. Akintola has called on the military to initiate an immediate investigation into the soldiers’ conduct, urging for the responsible parties to be apprehended and duly prosecuted. Emphasizing the urgent need for justice, he stated, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” and pressed for swift action to rectify what he described as an atrocity.
The repercussions of this incident reach beyond the immediate parties involved, stirring a conversation about religious coexistence and the appropriate responses to conflicts that arise at the intersection of diverse religious practices. This case highlights the delicate balance that must be maintained in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria.
As the local community and national organizations like CAN and MURIC navigate the aftermath of this troubling episode, the broader implications for interfaith relations and the role of religious leaders in promoting peace remain at the forefront of discussions. The steps taken to address this incident will likely serve as a benchmark for future confrontations, potentially setting a precedent for how religious diversity is managed in regions fraught with sectarian divides.