A prominent Islamic cleric in Ilesha-Baruba, within Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, identified as Alfa Iliasu, has reportedly been killed in what is being described as an assassination.
According to Daily Trust, the respected cleric, who was well known across Baruten and surrounding communities, was killed under controversial circumstances that have sparked concern.
Narration of How He Was Killed:
A former Chairman of Baruten LGA disclosed that preliminary findings indicate the attack occurred around 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, while Qur’anic lessons were ongoing at the cleric’s residence.
According to Ibrahim, the cleric was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment but eventually succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the attack. He added that the suspect was later beaten to death by a furious mob.
Ibrahim further explained that the suspect had first been arrested and placed in police custody before tensions escalated, resulting in unrest across the community.
Reports indicate that the angry crowd overwhelmed security operatives at the police station and forcefully seized the suspect before killing him.
Commenting on the incident, Muhammed Baba Saliu, who represents the Okuta/Yashikira constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, stated that residents were still working to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
He said: “We know the cleric has been butchered and buried. “Along the line, there are reports that among those who killed him, one of them was killed, another was arrested, and another one went away. Many reports are coming in, and I will speak further when I have a fuller grasp of the whole situation.”
Similarly, Halidu Abubakar, the Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, confirmed the death of Iliasu.
He noted that both religious and traditional leaders swiftly stepped in to contain the situation and avert a complete collapse of peace and order in the community.
The monarch said: “One man went and killed a prominent Islamic cleric, Alfa Ilyas, with a machete. Nobody really knows what transpired between them before the attack.”
Here is a picture of the slain cleric:
Popular Islamic Cleric, Alfa Iliasu Kill+d In Gvnmen Attack On Ilesha-Baruba Area In Kwara pic.twitter.com/b7KOCOA7NU
— Urban Brief (@UrbanBrief) May 31, 2026
