In a shocking incident that has heightened tensions in the state, Alhaji Idris Abubakar Sakaina, the leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Kwara State, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen on Saturday night.
The attack occurred shortly after 10pm in front of his residence in the Oke Ose area of Ilorin, the state capital, sending shockwaves through the local community and beyond.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants accosted Sakaina as he returned home, opening fire without warning. No items were reportedly taken from the scene, leaving the motive for the killing unclear.
The 32-year-old, who previously served as a Special Assistant to the chairman of Moro Local Government and as the Youth Leader for the Fulani community in Kwara, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made as of Sunday, 9 March, 2025.
The killing has sparked widespread concern, given Sakaina’s prominent role in representing the interests of Fulani herders in a region often marked by farmer-herder clashes. Community leaders have called for calm while urging authorities to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators.
“This is a tragic loss, not just for the Miyetti Allah but for the entire state,” said a local resident, who requested anonymity. “We need answers and justice.”
The Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident, stating that security forces are working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The assassination comes amid ongoing debates over security and communal relations in the country, with many speculating it could be linked to unresolved tensions in the area.
As investigations continue, Sakaina’s death leaves a void in the leadership of the Miyetti Allah, raising questions about its implications for peace and stability in Kwara State.
Leave a Reply