Elias Estate, Owode in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council development Area of
Lagos State has been playing host to several visitors since Tuesday
September 3, while Dawis Central Mosque has become a Mecca of
sorts with people trooping down there to catch a glimpse of three
different images said to have appeared on its walls, including those of
two neighbouring buildings in the community.
One of the buildings share the same compound with the Mosque, while
the other one is located behind the Mosque. Most of those visiting do
so for different reasons:
Some to offer prayers, others to satisfy their curiosity over the
appearance of the images which have become a subject of
controversy.
According to sources, the appearance of the three images on the wall
of the mosque was first noticed by an Hausa worshipper who raised an
alarm that attracted neighbours and passers-by. Few worshippers
promptly identified the images as those of three Shehus (leaders of
Islam): Shehus Ahmadu Tijani, Ibrahim Niyas and Jamiu Bulala who
died some years back. According to them, Liyas died in 1975, Tijani
died five decades ago, while Bulala died less than a decade ago. But
news of the appearance of the images created panic among residents,
leading to a stampede.
When Vanguard's Bose Adelaja visited the community last Thursday,
there was repeated shouts of Allah Hakibaru (Allah is the greatest).
Women who came around were compelled to cover their heads before
being allowed to enter the Mosque. Also, many of the onlookers were
seen holding Tesbiu and Al-Quran, claiming they visited the scene
purposely to pray to God Almighty.
Some of the worshippers said that the development prompted some
individuals to convert to Islam. One of them, as claimed, was a trader
at Owode-Onirin who was immediately christened Yusuf.
In a chat with Vanguard, President-General, Dawis Alhaji Ibrahim
Samad and General Cordinator Dawis, Alhaji Idera Afolabi, claimed the
images were first noticed during the 2013 Ramadan but the
worshippers kept the knowledge to themselves until last Tuesday when
the Hausa worshipper raised the alarm.
"About a week to the end of Ramadan, we saw the images on the wall
during a prayer session which prompted us to change our system of
operation. Since then, the Mosque open only during prayer hours until
last Tuesday when a an Hausa worshipper came here to pray and was
baffled at the images. Since then, people have been thronging the
place on daily basis," they chorused.
Some traders also seized the occasion to do brisk business as
photographs of the images are now being sold at N100 each.
During VM’s visit, no government official or law enforcement agent
was seen. However, a branded bus belonging to Ikosi-Isheri LCDA
which was sighted around 12.30pm, left the scene almost immediately.
Asked if government was informed about the development in the light
of the absence of security agents to control the surging crowd, Alhaji
Afolabi said the services of Sherif Guards were employed to maintain
orderliness.
"When we saw the crowd today (last Thursday), we went to Mile 12
Under-bridge to get five soldiers. We were also able to get 20 Sherif
Guards who have been helping in crowd control. Also, the Divisional
Police Officer at Ajegunle was contacted but his boys only came to
satisfy their curiosity," he said.
A sign of the end time
Alhaji Afolabi also dismissed the notion that the images represent a
miracle, saying that they are intended to show the steadfastness of the
Shehus. " The essence is not to record miracles but to tell us the end
has come because God is revealing Himself in an unusual way. Shehu
Niyas once appeared in Agege about three months ago, the images are
there to show that Allah is alive ," he said.
Efforts by Vanguard crew to gain access into the Mosque proved
abortive as the entrances were completely blocked by the surging
crowd.
Resident debunks story
However, an occupant of the building at the back of the Mosque where
some people were seen crying, praying and taking photographs of the
supposed images, John Oche, debunked the story.
John Oche said: " My sister, it is a rumour; the crowd has been
touching our wall, claiming they saw an image but I’m yet to see any
image on this wall O . The crowd has been gathering day and night but
I am yet to see the images".
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