Barely Ten days to the Muslim’s holy month – Ramadan, the ijebu-ode Muslim community lost one of their clerics, 35 year-old Sheikh Yusuf Amzat-Salam, his wife and four children.
The sheikh, also known as Alfa Abu, together with his entire family and one of his students, was killed by unknown assassins in the early hours of Tuesday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The attackers, whose motive could not be ascertained, butchered the entire household with machetes, including the eldest child; a girl aged 11, her twin brothers, aged 8 and the last female child, aged 2.
It was gathered that the victims were discovered in the pool of their blood when a school bus came to pick the children.
A close family friend, Mr Yusuf Oludaisi, described the act as dastardly and wicked, wondering what the victim must have done to warrant such treatment.
“He was someone whom we grew up together. I have known him for 30 years to be humble and kind to everyone who came across his path.
“It’s really sad because this was someone you will never see quarrelling or being disrespectful”, said Oludaisi.
The younger brother of the victim, Alfa Ishaaq Amzat-Salam, however, said he would leave the matter for God to judge.
“I leave those who perpetrated such evil into God’s hands for He alone will judge them. The deed cannot be undone.
“I will always remember my brother forever for his loving kindness as he was a shining light to us all”, said Ishaaq.
Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East), who was at the burial of the victims, described the incident as very sad.
“I am a close friend to the father of the victim and when I heard what happened, I was in shock.
“It is unimaginable what these people did and it brings much sadness to my heart. I don’t even have the words to describe it”, said Kaka.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Ogun, Bimbola Oyeyemi, said the command was aware of the incident.
“We are already doing all to investigate and apprehend the culprits”, he said.
Sympathisers described the cleric as a peace-loving, humble and caring individual.
The deceased have all been buried in accordance with Muslim rites, amid wailing by sympathisers and relations.
