The Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condoled with the Muslim community of Papa Ajao in Mushin area of Lagos State over the collapse of Sooro Mosque, the Papa Ajao Central Mosque which reportedly claimed the lives of three worshipers with several injured after it was hit by an excavation machine during the Zuhr prayer in afternoon of Sunday, 26th May 2024.

In a condolence message released on Monday, 27th May 2024, the Chairman of MURIC in Lagos State, Dr. Busari Jamiu Muhammad sympathized with the bereaved families and the injured faithfuls who were on duty to answer the calls of their Creator before the unexpected occurred. He also called for an investigation.

The statement reads: “It was with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we received the news of the collapsed mosque and the resultant death of three Muslims in Papa Ajao. We sincerely condole with the families of the victims and the Lagos Muslim community.

According to several reports and eyewitness accounts, the mosque, which is located on Yusuf Street collapsed as a result of excavation by the Lagos State Government in a bid to expand the road.

“We therefore call on the Lagos State government to investigate the incident. The lives and properties of citizens are paramount and the government must always put in place necessary protection for the populace whenever a construction is embarked upon especially in a crowded area.

“There must be careful assessment of the road to be constructed and the likely risk faced by buildings which have domiciled in the area for decades. Life is sacred and it has no duplicate, therefore, adequate studies prior to the construction work is inevitable.

“Should the report above be true and the road expansion is found to have been ordered by the Lagos State Government (LASG), we demand adequate compensation for families left behind by the bread winners killed in the accident. LASG must also pay the hospital bills of the injured as well as burial expenses of those who died.

“MURIC is in possession of a video clip that has gone viral showing the excavator machine at the scene of the accident minutes after it occurred.

“We charge LASG to take responsibility without much fuss. In addition, LASG has a moral and legal duty to reconstruct the mosque within a reasonable period”.

MURIC prayed for the repose of the souls of Muslim brethren who lost their lives to that ugly incident saying, the deceases are Allah’s visitors and Muslim heroes who dedicated their lives to worshiping their Creator. May Allah be pleased with them all. We pray that Allah will accept their returns as faithful servants and admit them into blissful paradise as martyrs.

END.