By John Dike, Osogbo
Tragedy has struck in Sokupkpan community, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, as the Chief Imam of the village, Mallam Abdullahi Audu, has been beaten to death by a mob over allegations of witchcraft.
According to witnesses, the incident occurred on Wednesday and threw the entire community into chaos. The mob violence reportedly followed claims that the cleric was spiritually responsible for the death of one Ibrahim Gana, a resident of the community.
Sources said the departed Gana had been suffering from an undisclosed illness and allegedly told relatives and friends that the Chief Imam was tormenting him in his dreams. As his condition deteriorated, suspicions within the community grew stronger.
“When he eventually died, some angry youths concluded that the Imam had caused his death through spiritual means,” a community source told reporters.
On Wednesday, tension escalated when Gana’s brothers Mohammed Shaba, Mahmud Gana, and Ndakpotun Issa — reportedly mobilized others to confront the cleric. Despite attempts by elders to calm the situation, the mob descended on the Chief Imam, beating him to death.
“They accused him of killing Gana through witchcraft and refused to listen to anyone who tried to intervene,” another witness said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of four suspects.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday, said:
“On November 4, 2025, at about 9:30 p.m., one Ibrahim Gana, aged 25, a resident of Sokupkpan Village in Tsaragi, who had been ill and on admission at a hospital, sadly passed away.
“Following his death, his brothers, Mohammed Shaba and Mahmud Gana, accused the Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdullahi Audu, of being responsible for their brother’s demise.
“In an act of mob violence, they mobilized several individuals and attacked the Chief Imam with offensive weapons, leading to his death.”
Adeyemi added that police operatives immediately commenced an investigation into the incident and arrested four suspects, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others involved.
