At least four Fulani cattle breeders have been assassinated by criminal elements in Kwara State due to their active opposition to criminal activities.

This revelation was made on Tuesday by the Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State chapter, Abdulazeez Mohammed, following the murder of the association's state chairman, Idris Abubakar Sakaina. The latter was killed over the weekend at the entrance to his residence in Oke-Ose, Oke-Oyi town, Ilorin East Local Government Area.

Abdulazeez expressed deep concern, stating that Idris and the three other members who were previously murdered were at the forefront of combating criminality in the state. He noted that these individuals collaborated closely with security agencies to eradicate kidnappers and other criminal elements, making them targets for retaliation.

The secretary further warned that Fulani cattle breeders are increasingly becoming an "endangered species" because of their commitment to joining forces with law enforcement to tackle insecurity. He urged the government to provide greater protection for those standing against criminal activities.

He said, “Idris Abubakar was killed last Saturday because of efforts of Fulani leaders to rid the state of kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“Our chairman was a great warrior. He fought kidnappers and was determined to rid the state of criminal activities. He told us, the members of the association, that the hoodlums had been calling to threaten him.

“He said that they warned him that he would be killed if he did not stop coming to disturb their criminal activities in the state. He had been their target”.

DAILY POST recalls that the late MACBAN chairman in the state state, Idris Abubakar, was murdered by gunmen last Saturday at about 10:00p.m in front of his Oke-Oyi residence, Ilorin.

Abdulazeez described the death of the MACBAN chairman as unfortunate and pathetic, adding that “Idris Abubakar had gone to break Ramadan fast and pray Ishai with a prominent politician in the state, known as Yahaya Seriki and returned to his house to meet hoodlums who killed him in front of his house.”

The MACBAN secretary, who said that he was not sure if Abubakar reported the threat by his assailants to law enforcement agencies, added that, “The people shot him and shattered his head.

“He reported the threat to us, the Fulani leaders, during our meetings five months ago.

“About three Fulani leaders had been killed before the murder of Abubakar last Saturday, as Fulani leaders are becoming targets of criminals.

“These are the people fighting criminal activities. These Fulani leaders always come out at gatherings and meetings to tell criminal elements that they should stop their nefarious activities or they will be arrested, prosecuted or killed. They usually do this without fear. And that is why they don't like him.”

In her reaction, the wife of the late chairman, Aisha Abubakar, who spoke in tears with journalists at their Oke-Oyi residence, appealed to the government for assistance, especially, for the educational needs of the six young children left behind by the 32-year-old deceased.

Aisha narrated how the gunmen murdered Abubakar, describing the death of her husband as shocking and tragic.

“I was at home at about 10:00 p.m on the fateful Saturday night, when my husband called me asking me to open the gate for him to enter the house.

“As I opened the gate, I saw two strange men. I've never seen them before. They brought out their guns immediately they saw me and actually shot at where I was standing. Seeing this, I quickly rushed back inside for safety.

“I tried to reach out to some people to help my husband who was left with them outside, because I sensed danger. But there was no one around.

“I kept hearing gunshot sound while inside the house. By the time I summoned courage to come outside again, the gunmen had left, leaving the corpse of my husband on the ground, where he was shot dead”.