Mob Burns Corpses, Razes Homes In Kwara As Police Confirm Deadly Reprisal Attack In Ilesha Baruba

Ilorin, Kwara State– The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed a brutal mob violence, arson, and extra-judicial killings that engulfed Ilesha Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area, following a deadly altercation that spiraled into retaliatory attacks on May 30, 2026.

In a statement issued on May 31, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, disclosed that the crisis began after a violent clash between an unidentified Fulani man and a respected Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu.

According to the police, both men sustained severe machete wounds during the confrontation and were rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention.

However, the situation took a tragic turn when Mohammed Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the suspected attacker later died while receiving treatment.

The statement read, “Investigations revealed that a violent altercation occurred between an unidentified Fulani man and an Islamic scholar, Alh Mohammed Ilyasu, during which both parties sustained severe machete injuries.”

But rather than allowing authorities to handle the situation, chaos erupted as angry youths allegedly took the law into their own hands in a shocking display of mob justice.

“Some irate youths reportedly stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased assailant, and set it ablaze,” the police revealed.

In what authorities described as a horrifying escalation, the mob reportedly went further to attack another unsuspecting individual.

“In a further display of lawlessness, the mob allegedly attacked another man passing through the area and set him on fire,” she said.

The violence did not end there. The enraged crowd reportedly turned its anger on the Fulani community, burning down properties in what appeared to be ethnically charged reprisals.

“The violent crowd also razed about ten buildings belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Hassan,” the police confirmed.

Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the troubled community as tensions threatened to spiral out of control.

“Upon receipt of the report, a combined team of Police personnel and military operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected area, successfully restoring normalcy and preventing further escalation of violence,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

The police added that security presence has since been reinforced, with authorities maintaining close surveillance of the situation to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the killings and destruction in strong terms, describing the acts as barbaric and unacceptable in a lawful society.

“The Commissioner of Police… has condemned the acts in the strongest terms, describing them as criminal, barbaric, and a direct affront to the rule of law.”

He stressed that no individual or group has the authority to resort to jungle justice, regardless of the circumstances surrounding any dispute.

“He emphasised that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands irrespective of the circumstances surrounding any incident,” the police added.

Meanwhile, the Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident and vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice.

“The Command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for all persons involved in the retaliatory attacks, arson, and unlawful killings. The perpetrators will be identified, apprehended, and made to face the full weight of the law,” the statement said.

Residents of Ilesha Baruba and surrounding communities have been urged to remain calm and avoid actions capable of igniting further ethnic tension or violence.

“The Commissioner of Police urges residents to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while refraining from actions capable of disrupting public peace or inciting ethnic reprisals.”

The police also reassured all affected communities of their commitment to ensuring justice and protecting lives and property without bias.

“He reassures all communities in the area of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property without bias and ensuring that justice is served.”

Afrika Eyes had earlier reported that an Islamic cleric identified as Alfa Iliasu was killed following a violent attack by suspected Fulani assailants at his residence in Ilesha-Baruba, in Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State.

The attack occurred earlier on Saturday, throwing the community into mourning and triggering unrest that led to the death of one of the suspected attackers.

According to information gathered by Afrika Eyes, the cleric was attacked at his home by three suspected assailants. During the assault, the attackers allegedly struck him on the head with a cutlass, inflicting severe injuries.

Residents rushed the injured cleric to a hospital for emergency treatment. However, sources said he died before medical personnel could attend to him due to the severity of his injuries.

“Alfa Iliasu was attacked in his house by three men. They used a cutlass on his head and he was taken to the hospital immediately, but unfortunately he died before doctors could attend to him,” a community source told Afrika Eyes.

The killing stirred outrage among residents of the community, who reportedly mobilised and pursued the suspects.

Sources disclosed that one of the suspects was killed at the scene by an angry mob shortly after the attack.

A second suspect was apprehended and taken into police custody, while the third suspect escaped and remains at large.

A video obtained by Afrika Eyes showed dramatic scenes following the incident.

In the footage, a crowd of residents could be seen gathered around a police station where one of the suspects was allegedly lynched.

The video also captured community members dragging the suspect’s lifeless body in front of the police station as tensions escalated.

Other scenes in the footage showed grieving residents pouring into the streets, visibly devastated by the cleric’s death.

Men, women and youths were seen mourning and discussing the incident as news of the killing spread across the community.