Tragedy in Osogbo: Worshipper Beaten to Death After Attempted Attack on Imam

A tragic incident unfolded on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo, Osun State, where a worshipper identified as Najeem Hammed was beaten to death.

The altercation reportedly began during the early morning (Fajr) sermon when Najeem, a car painter and father of two, suddenly became aggressive. Witnesses claim he stood up, dismantled a microphone tripod, and attempted to strike the Imam, forcing the cleric to flee the premises to escape assault.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control as members of the congregation intervened to restrain Najeem. According to multiple accounts, the struggle spilled outside the mosque, where Najeem was allegedly mobbed and beaten by a crowd of worshippers. He was later found bleeding in a gutter in front of the mosque and was rushed to the police station by officers from the Ataoja Divisional Police Station, but was unfortunately confirmed dead shortly after.

In the wake of the death, the Osun State Police Command has arrested four individuals, including the Chief Imam of the mosque, to assist in the investigation.

While some witnesses described Najeem as having been unusually aggressive and possibly intoxicated during the incident, his family insists that the level of violence used against him was unjustifiable. The body has been deposited at the Osun State Teaching Hospital for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Do you believe the congregation was right to intervene, or did the response go too far? Should the Imam be held responsible for the actions of his followers during the scuffle? Share your comments below!

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