Kwara Cleric’s Killing Triggers Reprisal Attack, Mob Burns Suspect’s Corpse

The killing of an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, sparked violent reprisals as angry youths allegedly seized the corpse of his suspected attacker from a hospital, set it ablaze, and torched several buildings belonging to members of the Fulani community.

The unrest followed a violent altercation between the cleric and an unidentified Fulani man during which both men reportedly sustained severe machete injuries. The victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment, where Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the alleged assailant later died from injuries sustained during the clash.

Sources said news of the cleric’s death triggered outrage among youths in the community, who subsequently stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased suspect and set it on fire.

In a further escalation of the violence, the mob allegedly attacked another man passing through the area and set him ablaze. Authorities have yet to establish the identity of the victim or any connection he may have had to the earlier incident.

The irate youths also reportedly razed about 10 buildings belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Hassan.

Confirming the incident on Sunday night, the Kwara State Police Command condemned the attacks and described them as acts of lawlessness.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command said investigations revealed that the initial violence involved a confrontation between the Islamic scholar and an unidentified Fulani man, during which both sustained severe injuries.

The statement said: “Investigations revealed that a violent altercation occurred between an unidentified Fulani man and an Islamic scholar, Alh Mohammed Ilyasu, during which both parties sustained severe machete injuries. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, Mohammed Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the assailant also succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.”

The police said some youths took the law into their own hands instead of allowing authorities to investigate the matter.

“Rather than allowing the law to take its course, some irate youths reportedly stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased assailant, and set it ablaze. In a further display of lawlessness, the mob allegedly attacked another man passing through the area and set him on fire. The violent crowd also razed about ten buildings belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Hassan,” the statement added.

The Command disclosed that a combined team of police officers and military personnel was immediately deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence.

“Upon receipt of the report, a combined team of Police personnel and military operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected area, successfully restoring normalcy and preventing further escalation of violence. Security has since been reinforced, while the situation remains under close monitoring,” the police said.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the attacks, describing them as criminal, barbaric and a direct affront to the rule of law.

According to the statement, the police chief stressed that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands regardless of the circumstances surrounding any incident.

The Command further announced that it had launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for all those involved in the retaliatory attacks, arson and unlawful killings.

“Meanwhile, the Command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for all persons involved in the retaliatory attacks, arson, and unlawful killings. The perpetrators will be identified, apprehended, and made to face the full weight of the law,” the statement said.

The police appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of disrupting public peace or provoking ethnic reprisals, assuring all communities in the area of impartial protection and a commitment to ensuring justice is served.