Tension grips Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State following the assassination of a prominent Islamic cleric, Alfa Iliasu. The cleric was hacked to death on Saturday, May 30, 2026, while conducting Quranic lessons at his residence.
Details of the Attack
According to reports from Daily Trust on Sunday, May 31, the attack occurred around 9 a.m. Preliminary investigations by community leaders indicate that Iliasu was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, a former chairman of Baruten LGA, confirmed that the suspect was initially arrested and taken into police custody. However, an angry mob overpowered security personnel at the police station and lynched the suspected attacker, leading to further unrest in the community.
Reactions from Officials
Muhammed Baba Saliu, the member representing Okuta/Yashikira constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, stated that the community is still gathering details of the tragedy. He noted that the cleric has been buried, and reports indicate that one suspect was killed, another arrested, and a third fled. Saliu promised to provide more information once a fuller picture emerges.
Halidu Abubakar, the emir of Ilesha-Baruba, confirmed the killing and explained that religious and traditional leaders intervened to prevent a total breakdown of law and order. The emir said, “One man went and killed a prominent Islamic cleric, Alfa Ilyas, with a cutlass. Nobody really knows what transpired between them before the attack.”
Broader Context
The incident has heightened tensions in Kwara State, which is under the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The killing of the widely respected cleric has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for justice. Police operatives are struggling to calm the nerves of irate residents as investigations continue.
In a related development, the death of Sheikh Abdulkadir Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adab, the Khalifatul Adabiyyīn and son of the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adaby, was also reported. Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, expressed deep sorrow over the cleric's passing.
Local leaders have urged calm and assured the public that authorities are working to uncover the circumstances surrounding Iliasu's murder. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural communities.
