A resident of Kano State, Nasiru Mukhtar, has been remanded in custody following an incident that occurred on October 22, 2024, in which he allegedly assaulted Imam Malam Murtala Sulaiman during morning prayers at a local mosque. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding public safety and respect for religious practices.
According to reports from the Kano State Shariah Court sitting at Kofar Kudu, Mukhtar is accused of entering the mosque around 5 AM and physically assaulting the Imam. Witnesses claim that he slapped the Imam and tore his clothes while he was leading the congregation in prayer. The police have stated that this act of violence is not only an affront to the Imam but also to the entire community and its religious values.
The court has ordered Mukhtar to be remanded in custody as investigations continue. The presiding judge emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order within places of worship and condemned any form of violence against religious leaders.
Community leaders have expressed their shock over the incident and called for swift justice. They emphasized that such actions undermine the sanctity of religious gatherings and could lead to increased tensions within the community.