From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on its leaders, alleging that criminal elements are deliberately targeting them for assassination.
The association’s secretary, Mallam Abdulazeez Mohammed, revealed that at least four Fulani cattle breeders had been murdered in recent months, including the state chairman, Alhaji Idris Abubakar, who was ambushed and shot dead in front of his residence in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin.
According to him, these killings are linked to the efforts of Fulani leaders in the state to support security agencies in the fight against kidnapping and criminal activities.
“Idris Abubakar was a fearless warrior. He stood against kidnappers and criminals, and they saw him as a threat. They had been warning him to stop interfering with their activities, but he refused,” Mohammed said.
Related News
He disclosed that the late chairman had been trailed for over five months before he was eventually killed. “He told us that these criminals were after him. They threatened him several times, but he remained committed to ensuring peace and security,” he added.
The attack has heightened fears among Fulani leaders, who believe they are being systematically eliminated for taking a stand against criminal activities. “Three other Fulani leaders were killed before Abubakar. These are people working to rid the state of crime, yet they have become the main targets,” Mohammed lamented.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased MACBAN chairman has called on the government for support. His wife, Aisha Abubakar, described the murder as a devastating loss and appealed for assistance, particularly for the education of the young children he left behind.
“My husband called me to open the gate, and the moment I did, I saw two strange men. They pulled out guns and started shooting. I ran inside to hide, but by the time I came out, he was already dead,” she recounted in tears.
The late chairman’s elder brother, Idris Kau, also pleaded with the government to support the family. He revealed that Abubakar, who was just 32 years old, left behind two wives, seven children, and an aged mother.
Similarly, the Fulani leader in Kwara, Alhaji Ojonla Mahmud, urged security agencies to track down the killers and bring them to justice. He also called on the state government to provide educational support for the deceased’s children, while urging members of the Fulani community to continue to promote peaceful coexistence.
As security concerns grow, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the fight against criminal elements in the state.
