Enugu mosque crisis: Police bar chief imam, Muslim leaders from Jumat service

The Nigeria Police in Enugu State have reportedly barred the Chief Imam of Owerri Road Central Mosque, Imam Murtala Dahiru, and other Muslim leaders from attending Friday prayers following a leadership dispute.

According to SaharaReporters, the Council of Ulamas and Imams alleged the restriction followed a petition by Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah on Special Duties.

The Council said its members were arrested on September 30 and compelled to sign an undertaking preventing them from attending Jumat prayers until another Chief Imam is installed.

In a petition to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Council described the restriction as unconstitutional.

“The police acted beyond their powers by banning some Muslim leaders from attending Jumat Service without a valid court order,” the petition stated.

The Council demanded an immediate reversal of the restriction, insisting Dahiru remains the mosque’s rightful Chief Imam.

Police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe had not responded to the allegations.