Reports reaching this paper from the Central River Region have intimated that the Head Imam of Kuntaur was in the early hours of yesterday morning stabbed to death in his house. Amadou Jallow, 30, was reported to have been stabbed 16 times by yet unknown assailants as he prepared to go and lead the early morning prayers at the mosque.

The incident, which has sparked serious concerns within the region, is said to have come on the heels of a prolonged Imamship crises in the area.

The late Imam Jallow, who had been the Imam at the mosque for the past four years, is said to have assumed the mantle from his late father, who served in the same post for quite a long time.

According to Fatou Sal, wife of the murdered Imam, her late husband had for the past few days complained of receiving text messages in which the sender(s) threatened to kill him. “ My husband has not been comfortable all these days. He was nervous and even to take food was a big problem for him. It seemed as if he was expecting such.

“Normally he wakes me up early in the morning before going to the mosque but on that fateful morning, he woke up and heard a knock at the door at a time when it was raining heavily. He went to open the door and as he opened the door, he was attacked, sprayed before being stabbed,” said Fatou Sal.

Meanwhile police sources have informed this paper that three suspects have so far been arrested and are currently helping the police in their investigations.

The late Imam Jallow is survived by a wife and three children.