Islamic Cleric Arrested For Threatening Traditionalists In Ilorin Begs For Forgiveness

Alfa Salah Ayodeji, the divisive Islamic cleric accused of threatening traditionalists in Ilorin, has been arrested and paraded by the Kwara State Police command after being declared wanted by the police.

While being paraded by the police in Ilorin yesterday, the suspect appealed for forgiveness, acknowledging that he had been unaware of the perilous nature of his actions and their potential to disturb the peace.

In contrast to his video statement, Ayodeji, who seemed remorseful and apologetic, asserted that the state Commissioner of Police, Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, had not instructed him to threaten the traditionalists, nor was she informed about his visit to the shop of the traditionalists.

While responding to questions from journalists at the Police headquarters, Ismail stated that he was unaware of the perilous nature of his actions and hadn’t realized that they could potentially lead to a religious conflict in Ilorin.

Ismail, who mentioned that he ran two Quranic schools in Ilorin and Ogbomoso, Oyo State, expressed that he had extended apologies to the couple, the followers of the traditional religion, various Muslim groups, and the Alaran family, which he visited with the intent to threaten the traditional religion practitioners.

He admitted, “I did go to the Alaran compound to issue a threat and caution Tajudeen and his wife regarding their practice of the Isese religion. At that time, I wasn’t aware of the potential danger inherent in my actions, nor did I realize they could potentially trigger a religious conflict.”

“I sincerely appeal to all Nigerians for forgiveness for my actions. I am pleading with Tajudeen, the Alaran family, and the Islamic scholars for my wrongdoing. No one instructed me; it was only after the video spread widely that I understood the gravity of my mistake.”

He appealed to Nigerians, the state government, the state Police command, and the concerned traditionalists to forgive him, saying that he had a clean record with the police prior to this incident.

Recalled on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, issued an order to the suspect’s family, directing them to produce him by the Wednesday deadline.

Labeling the suspect as a terrorist and noting his presence on the state Police Command’s wanted list, the police chief criticized the cleric’s family for not advising their son against his criminal actions. She emphasized that his behavior had the potential to lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

The Police commissioner also criticized the Alaran family for forcefully evicting the couple from the area and for reimbursing the shop rent to them despite their objections.