Gunmen In Kwara State Have Killed Four Fulani Leaders Including Miyetti Allah Chairman — MACBAN Laments
MACBAN’s Kwara State Secretary, Mallam Abdulazeez Mohammed, stated that Abubakar’s murder was not random but an attack on his efforts to rid the state of criminal elements disguising themselves as cattle breeders.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kwara State has raised alarm over what it describes as targeted assassinations of its leaders, following the killing of its state chairman, Alhaji Idris Abubakar, by gunmen.
MACBAN’s Kwara State Secretary, Mallam Abdulazeez Mohammed, stated that Abubakar’s murder was not random but an attack on his efforts to rid the state of criminal elements disguising themselves as cattle breeders.
“Our chairman was assassinated because he stood against kidnapping and other criminal activities. For over five months, he had been trailed by these criminals before they finally ambushed him,” Abdulazeez said.
He explained that Abubakar had been receiving death threats from criminal elements who warned him to stop interfering in their operations or face elimination.
“Idris Abubakar was a fearless warrior. He confronted kidnappers and criminals, warning them to stop their activities or face the law. That made him a target,” Abdulazeez added.
The MACBAN secretary revealed that Abubakar was attacked shortly after breaking his Ramadan fast and attending prayers with a prominent politician, Yahaya Seriki, before returning home.
MACBAN disclosed that Abubakar was the fourth Fulani leader to be killed in Kwara in recent times, expressing concerns that their members were being systematically hunted down.
“These Fulani leaders were vocal in condemning crime within their communities. They consistently warned criminal elements at gatherings and meetings. This is why they became targets,” Abdulazeez lamented.
Meanwhile, another Fulani leader in Kwara, Alhaji Ojonla Mahmud, has called on security agencies to track down Abubakar’s killers and bring them to justice.
He also urged the state government to support the late leader’s family, especially in ensuring his children’s education.
Mahmud further appealed to the Fulani community to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies in tackling criminal activities.
Abubakar was shot dead on Saturday night by unknown gunmen at his residence in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. Armed men with sophisticated weapons stormed his house around 10:00 pm and fatally shot him, MACBAN’s National Secretary-General, Bello Aliyu Gotomo, confirmed.
His assassination came two months after his Katsina State counterpart, Sirajo Ahmad Mairana, was killed similarly. According to Gotomo, seven MACBAN leaders across different states have been assassinated in the past two years.
“In the past two years, we lost seven leaders, including state and local government chairmen, to gunmen. This targeted killing of our members is worrisome,” Gotomo stated.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed Abubakar’s murder, saying an investigation has commenced. Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said officers recovered five expended 7.62mm shells from the crime scene, and his remains have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) mortuary.
“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full investigation. CP Victor Olaiya assures that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and urges the public to remain calm and provide useful information,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.
