By Emmanuel Kwada
A bitter dispute over who should lead the Hausa Community Central Mosque in Agege, Lagos, has led to its closure, with the authorities shutting it down to prevent further conflict. The crisis erupted after the death of the mosque’s chief imam, Sheikh Sharif Habib Abdul-Majid, and has since escalated into a full-blown power struggle.
Three factions are vying for control, including the deceased imam’s family, the Na’ib family, and the Sarkin Hausawan Agege Council. The situation took a turn for the worse on Friday when the second-in-command was prevented from delivering a sermon, leading to a physical altercation between worshippers.
The Agege Council chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, has announced plans to invite all parties to a reconciliation meeting to resolve the issue. The mosque’s closure has left the community in a state of uncertainty, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
