In the Ilesha-Baruba community, located in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, the revered cleric Alfa Iliasu was brutally murdered under contentious circumstances. Community leaders have confirmed the tragic event, which occurred while Quranic lessons were being conducted in his compound in the morning. Member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Muhammed Baba Saliu, reported ongoing investigations, stating that the incident resulted in one suspect being killed, another arrested, and a third escaping.
Alhaji Halidu Abubakar, the Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, confirmed the attack and noted the involvement of traditional and religious leaders who sought to prevent further chaos. He recounted that the cleric was attacked with a cutlass, and although he was initially taken to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Following the gruesome murder, a mob lynched one of the suspects, escalating tensions within the community.
Ardo Muhammed Abdullahi, the Seriki Fulani of Ilesha-Baruba, revealed that the main suspect, identified only as Seke, was known for prior disputes over unpaid wages. He suggested that a personal disagreement might have instigated the attack and condemned the subsequent mob violence that affected innocent residents, including the destruction of properties belonging to many families, including his own. Abdullahi reported the loss of three houses and the disappearance of two of his children during the turmoil.
The violence not only led to the breakdown of peace in the community but also incited fears of larger conflicts between the Fulani and other groups that have historically coexisted. Abdullahi expressed concerns about the escalating situation, warning that should it remain unaddressed, relations between the communities could worsen dramatically. He has communicated with security agencies regarding the violence and expressed intentions to relocate for the safety of his family and property, underscoring the precarious state of affairs in the region following the incident involving Alfa Iliasu.
