By Ado Oyeyemi
A prominent Islamic cleric, Alfa Iliasu, has been killed by suspected bandits in Ilesha-Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The cleric was reportedly attacked at his residence on Saturday when assailants stormed the premises and inflicted severe injuries on him during the assault.
Sources in the community disclosed that the attackers struck the cleric on the head with a cutlass before fleeing the scene.
He was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment but was confirmed dead before receiving medical attention.
The late cleric was widely known in Baruten and surrounding communities for his religious activities and spiritual consultations, earning him a significant following over the years.
Residents said three suspects were allegedly involved in the attack.
One of the suspects was reportedly killed during the incident, while another was apprehended and taken into custody by security operatives.
The third suspect, however, escaped and is currently being sought by authorities.
Following the tragic incident, sympathisers, family members, Islamic scholars and community leaders gathered to mourn the cleric and pay their final respects.
He was subsequently laid to rest at the Ilesha-Baruba Muslim Cemetery in accordance with Islamic rites.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
