The Kwara State Police Command has strongly condemned a series of violent incidents that erupted in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area, following the death of a respected Islamic scholar and an unidentified Fulani man.
According to police authorities, the unrest began after a confrontation between the cleric, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, and a Fulani man on May 30, 2026. Both individuals reportedly sustained severe machete wounds during the altercation and were rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
Police investigations revealed that Alhaji Ilyasu was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The other individual later died while receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during the incident.
Rather than allowing law enforcement agencies to conduct a proper investigation, tensions quickly escalated within the community. Reports indicate that a group of angry youths stormed the hospital, removed the body of the deceased suspect, and set it ablaze.
The violence reportedly intensified when another individual, believed to have been passing through the area, was attacked and killed by members of the mob. Authorities described the incident as a disturbing example of vigilante justice and lawlessness.
The situation deteriorated further as several buildings belonging to members of the Fulani community were reportedly destroyed. Police confirmed that approximately ten properties were set on fire, including the residence of a prominent Fulani community leader.
In response to the crisis, security agencies launched a coordinated operation involving police officers and military personnel. The deployment was aimed at restoring order, preventing additional attacks, and protecting residents from further violence.
Officials stated that normalcy has largely returned to the area, although security presence remains heightened as authorities continue to monitor developments closely.
Reacting to the events, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, condemned the reprisal attacks and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands. He emphasized that grievances should be addressed through lawful channels and not through acts of violence.
The police commissioner described the killings, destruction of property, and acts of arson as unacceptable, stressing that those responsible would be identified and brought before the law. He assured residents that a comprehensive investigation was underway and that no individual involved in the violence would escape accountability.
Authorities have also appealed for calm among residents and urged community leaders to discourage actions that could inflame tensions or deepen divisions among ethnic groups in the area.
The tragic events have generated widespread concern across the state, particularly because of the standing of Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu within the community. The cleric was widely known throughout Baruten and neighboring areas and was regarded as an influential religious figure.
His death has sparked grief among supporters and residents, many of whom have called for justice while urging authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the initial attack.
As investigations continue, security agencies say their priority remains maintaining peace, preventing further reprisals, and ensuring that all individuals connected to the violence face due process under the law.
