A wave of grief and tension has engulfed Ilesha-Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected gunmen killed a popular Islamic cleric, Alfa Iliasu, in a brutal attack on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred at the cleric’s residence, has thrown the agrarian community into turmoil, sparking outrage, protests and retaliatory violence that left one of the suspected attackers lynched by an angry mob.
Eyewitness accounts said the assailants stormed Alfa Iliasu’s home in the early hours of the day and attacked him with a cutlass, inflicting severe head injuries.
The cleric was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, but was confirmed dead before medical personnel could stabilise him due to the severity of the wounds.
His killing immediately triggered panic across the community, with residents trooping out in large numbers to mourn the religious leader, who was widely known in the area for his Islamic teachings and spiritual influence.
Tensions escalated further when one of the suspected attackers was apprehended by residents and lynched in front of a police station, according to multiple sources. The suspect’s lifeless body was later seen being dragged by a mob as anger boiled over in the area.
Security sources said three suspects were allegedly involved in the attack. One was killed on the spot by residents, another was arrested and handed over to police, while a third suspect reportedly escaped and is currently at large.
A video circulating from the scene showed chaotic and emotional scenes, with residents wailing and demanding justice for the slain cleric. The footage also captured heightened tension as security presence struggled to contain the crowd.
Alfa Iliasu was a well-known cleric across Baruten and neighbouring communities, with followers describing him as a religious figure often consulted on spiritual matters. His prominence, according to residents, made him both influential and controversial in some circles.
His remains were later buried in accordance with Islamic rites at the Ilesha-Baruba Muslim Cemetery amid tight security and heavy emotional outpouring from sympathisers.
As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, though security operatives were said to have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspect and restore calm in the troubled community.
The attack adds to growing security concerns in parts of Kwara North, where rural communities have repeatedly come under violent attacks in recent times.
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