Seven Days after Sheikh Khalid’s Sack, Reduced Crowd Prays at Apo Mosque Amid Heavy Security

Seven Days after Sheikh Khalid’s Sack, Reduced Crowd Prays at Apo Mosque Amid Heavy Security

By Kabir Abdulsalam & Kabir Akintayo

Exactly a week after Sheikh Nuhu Khalid was fired as the Chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters Central Mosque, normal Jumm’at service resumed at the Mosque on Friday with less crowd than it has been witnessed in recent times, Politics Digest can report.

There was also a heavy security presence as cars coming in and out of the Mosque were thoroughly checked by stern-looking officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sheikh Khalid, also called Digital Imam, was suspended and later sacked by the Mosque Committee for a sermon that criticised the federal government over its handling of security challenges troubling the country.

Politics Digest crew that performed Jumm’at prayers in the Mosque observed a calm atmosphere in and around the building.

A member of the mosque security committee who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the sack of Sheikh Khalid came as a rude shock to most members of the congregation.

He said: “As you can see, many did not turn up today, this place is usually filled up, but today is a different story. He, however, added that with time, people will get over the shocking news and move on.

Meanwhile, the officiating Imam for the day, Abdullahi Adamu Funtua, declined to speak when approached for an interview.