Tension has gripped Kwara State following the brutal murder of Alhaji Idrissu Abubakar, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), by unidentified gunmen.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, has raised concerns over the safety of herders and the escalating violence targeting key members of the association.
The Attack
According to reports, armed men stormed Abubakar’s residence in Oke Ose, Oke-Oyi, Kwara State, at around 10:00 pm on March 8, 2025.
The assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, shot the chairman dead at the entrance of his home.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning the motive behind the targeted killing.
Miyetti Allah Raises Alarm
In a statement issued by the National Secretary-General of MACBAN, Bello Aliyu Gotomo, the group expressed deep concern over the recurring killings of its leaders.
Gotomo revealed that Abubakar’s murder comes just two months after the assassination of Sirajo Ahmad Mairana, the association’s chairman in Katsina State, under similar circumstances.
“In the past two years, we have lost seven leaders, including state and local government chairmen, to gunmen,” Gotomo stated.
He emphasized that the association is increasingly worried about the systematic targeting of its key members and called for urgent action to address the growing insecurity.
Police Confirm Incident
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is underway.
In a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police disclosed that five expended 7.62mm shells were recovered from the scene.
“The Kwara State Police Command confirms the murder of Alhaji Idris Abubakar, the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State, who was shot dead on 8th March 2025 at the entrance of his residence in Oke Ose, Oke-Oyi,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
She added that Abubakar’s remains have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) mortuary, and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
Calls for Justice
The Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, has assured the public that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing useful information that could aid the investigation.
A Pattern of Violence?
Abubakar’s killing is the latest in a series of attacks targeting MACBAN leaders across Nigeria.
The association has repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of its members, particularly in regions plagued by farmer-herder conflicts and rising insecurity.
Many fear that the targeted killings could further escalate tensions in the region, leading to reprisal attacks and worsening the already fragile security situation.