Police launch manhunt over reprisal attacks in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has launched a manhunt for individuals involved in reprisal attacks, arson and alleged extrajudicial killings that rocked Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area over the weekend. The violent incident left at least two people dead and led to the destruction of several properties. Police said the crisis began after a Fulani boy, identified as Seke, popularly known as Bosso, allegedly attacked a Tijaniyyah cleric, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, inside his residence during a Quranic class. Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said preliminary investigations showed that both men sustained machete injuries during the confrontation and were rushed to the hospital, where the cleric was confirmed dead on arrival, while the suspect later died from his injuries. The police said tensions escalated after some angry youths stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the suspect and set it ablaze. Another passer-by was also attacked and burnt to death by the mob, while about 10 houses belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, were destroyed. Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, condemned the violence, describing it as “criminal, barbaric and a direct affront to the rule of law,” and vowed that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted. He urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions or triggering ethnic reprisals. The Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Alhaji Halidu Abubakar, said he intervened alongside other community leaders to prevent further breakdown of law and order, appealing to youths to remain calm and allow security agencies to handle the matter. He described the incident as painful, noting that many of the affected Fulani families had lived peacefully in the community for generations. The Seriki Fulani of Ilesha-Baruba, Ardo Muhammed Abdullahi, said the suspect had previously worked in the area and was known as a farm labourer involved in occasional disputes over payment. He said investigations were still ongoing to determine the exact motive behind the attack, but suggested a disagreement between the suspect and the slain cleric could not be ruled out. Abdullahi alleged that several Fulani properties were set ablaze during the reprisal attack, including three of his own houses, adding that his wife and children narrowly escaped after being helped out of the residence through a back entrance. He further claimed that at least two of his children were missing and expressed fear over the safety of other family members. The Fulani leader said he had reported the incident to security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services, and was considering leaving the community due to safety concerns.