A violent clash in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has left two people dead and about 10 houses destroyed, following a dispute that escalated into mob violence and reprisal attacks.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has raised fresh concerns about communal tensions and the growing trend of mob justice in some parts of the country.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the development on Sunday, describing the incident as a combination of mob violence, arson and extrajudicial killings.
According to the police, the crisis began after an altercation between a respected Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, and an unidentified Fulani man. During the confrontation, both men reportedly sustained serious machete wounds.
Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said both victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment after the attack.
However, medical personnel later confirmed that the Islamic scholar died shortly after arriving at the hospital, while the other man also died while receiving treatment for his injuries.
“Investigations revealed that a violent altercation occurred between an unidentified Fulani man and an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, during which both parties sustained severe machete injuries,” she stated.
“They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, Mohammed Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the assailant also succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.”
The deaths of the two men quickly heightened tensions in the community and reportedly triggered acts of retaliation by some angry youths.
According to the police, a group of youths stormed the hospital where the body of the unidentified man was being kept. The youths allegedly seized the corpse and set it ablaze.
The command condemned the action, noting that the suspects chose to take the law into their own hands instead of allowing security agencies to conduct investigations and determine responsibility for the incident.
“Rather than allowing the law to take its course, some irate youths reportedly stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased assailant, and set it ablaze,” the police spokesperson said.
The situation further deteriorated as the violence spread beyond the hospital premises.
The police said another individual, who was merely passing through the area, was attacked by members of the mob and set on fire. The victim later died from the attack.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the second victim or explained whether he had any connection to the original altercation.
The violence also led to widespread destruction of property within the community.
Residents reported that several houses belonging to members of the Fulani community were targeted during the unrest.
Police confirmed that about 10 houses were burnt by the attackers, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani of the area, Alhaji Hassan.
The destruction forced some residents to flee their homes for safety as fear spread across the community.
Witnesses said many families were forced to seek refuge in neighbouring areas while security agencies moved in to restore order.
Following reports of the violence, security operatives comprising police officers and military personnel were deployed to the community.
The joint security team succeeded in bringing the situation under control and preventing further attacks.
The police said normalcy has gradually returned to the area, although security personnel remain on the ground to monitor developments and prevent a resurgence of violence.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, strongly condemned the attacks, describing the actions of the mob as unacceptable and contrary to the rule of law.
He stressed that no individual or group has the right to carry out revenge attacks or take justice into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.
“The acts are criminal, barbaric, and a direct affront to the rule of law,” the commissioner said.
He assured residents that the command had launched a full investigation into the incident and vowed that those responsible would be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The police chief also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
Community leaders and stakeholders have also appealed for peace, warning that retaliatory attacks could further worsen tensions and create divisions among residents who have lived together for many years.
Baruten Local Government Area is located in the northern part of Kwara State and shares boundaries with neighbouring communities and international routes. The area is home to people from different ethnic and occupational backgrounds, including farmers, traders and pastoralists.
Like many rural communities across Nigeria, disputes involving land use, grazing routes, farming activities and personal disagreements have occasionally created tensions among different groups.
The latest incident in Ilesha Baruba has once again highlighted the dangers of mob justice, which remains a major concern across the country.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly warned against extrajudicial killings and revenge attacks, arguing that innocent people often become victims when angry crowds take the law into their own hands.
They have also called on governments at all levels to strengthen public awareness campaigns on conflict resolution and the importance of allowing security agencies and the courts to handle criminal matters.
Residents of Ilesha Baruba are now hoping that the investigation will reveal the full circumstances surrounding the initial altercation and help bring those responsible for the subsequent violence to justice.
For many families affected by the crisis, the priority is rebuilding their lives and restoring peace to the community.
As security agencies continue their investigations, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid spreading rumours and report suspicious activities promptly.
The police insist that anyone found to have participated in the killings, arson or other acts of violence will face the full weight of the law, as efforts continue to ensure that peace and normalcy are fully restored in the community.