Muslim cleric, wife, four children murdered by unknown assailants, police investigate

Muslim cleric, wife, four children murdered by unknown assailants, police investigate

A 35-year-old Muslim cleric, Sheikh Yusuf Amzat-Salam, popularly known as Alfa Abu,  his wife and four children were killed by hoodlums in the early hours of Tuesday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The incident occurred at Atiba area of Odogbolu Local Government Area.

The eldest child, a girl aged 11,  her twin brothers, aged 8 and the last female child, aged 2 were all killed.

All the victims had been buried in accordance with Muslim rites,  amid wailing by sympathisers and relations.

The attackers, whose motive could not be ascertained, butchered the entire household with machetes overnight.

The bloodied remains of the victims were discovered  in the morning  when a school bus came to pick the children.

The younger brother of the victim, Alfa Ishaaq Amzat-Salam, 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 and has commenced investigation to unravel the culprits.