The Emir of Ilọrin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Monday, decried the rising cases of cultism and other related crimes in the state.
The emir was speaking when he hosted the Ilọrin Emirate Youths in his palace over the murder of Yusuf Mubaraq, a 27-year-old political science student of the Nasarawa State University, Lafia.
City & Crime reports that Mubaraq, an indigene of Ilọrin, was reportedly killed in controversial circumstances when he was returning home around 10pm last Wednesday after he was initially declared missing.
His corpse was later discovered among the victims recovered from a cultists’ clash and armed robbery scenes, according to the various accounts that have trailed the incident.
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The emir said, “Ilorin and Kwara State used to be havens among places in the country and were acknowledged as the safest. But that is no longer the case because of the rising activities of cultists, kidnappers and ritualists.
“If it continues like this, we are not safe, and those that come to seek refuge here can no longer do so.
“As youths, you have a very important role to play in this, and I will advise you to form a neighbourhood security outfit with a strong information relation channel. You should see the director of DSS in Kwara and other relevant people to help your cause.
“On our part, we will continue to assist you in prayers which we have always done, and you should be very proactive going forward to nip any problem in the bud.”
Recall that Mubaraq’s death attracted widespread condemnation across the state, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; a former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu; among others, calling for a probe of the incident.