Mob Kills Chief Imam in Kwara Over Alleged Role in Youth’s Death

A mob has lynched the Chief Imam of Sokunkpan community in the Tsaragi district of Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, following suspicions that he was responsible for the death of a young man.

The cleric, identified as Alhaji Abdullahi Audu, was reportedly attacked by an angry crowd led by two brothers, Muhammad Shaaba and Mahmud Gana, who accused him of causing the death of their 25-year-old sibling, Ibrahim Gana.

According to the Kwara State Police Command, the tragic incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police investigations revealed that Ibrahim Gana had died in a hospital after battling a prolonged illness. However, his brothers allegedly blamed the cleric for his death and mobilised others to retaliate.

In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, police operatives swiftly launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved in the attack.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adekunle Ojo, condemned the killing, describing it as an act of jungle justice. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that such actions are criminal and would be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

He urged members of the public to remain calm and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through official communication channels. The Commissioner also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining peace and order across Kwara State.

In a separate development, gunmen have killed a police orderly, Corporal Salisu Shamaki, and abducted three other officers in Agbonran, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Shamaki, who was attached to a Chinese mining firm, was shot dead during the attack, though the miner escaped unharmed.

As of press time, the whereabouts of the kidnapped officers remain unknown. The incident adds to a string of violent attacks in Ifelodun LGA, where residents have suffered repeated raids, killings, and kidnappings.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reportedly deployed state security forces to the area, while the Nigerian Army’s Sobi Barracks in Ilorin has approved a new forward operational base in Ifelodun to tackle banditry and restore peace.

Local leaders and community groups are also collaborating with vigilante networks and security agencies to strengthen protection and ensure safety across affected communities.