Kwara governor orders probe into journalist’s death

The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has charged security agencies to unravel the cause of the death of a 27-year-old journalist, Yusuf Mubaarak, who was allegedly murdered in Ilorin, the state capital.

The body of the late journalist was discovered in Ilorin on Saturday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, which was released to newsmen on Saturday evening described as shocking and saddening the death of Mubaarak under hazy circumstances that he said must be investigated by security agencies.

Mubaarak, a new media personality who hails from Ilorin according to a statement from the Government House, went missing on Wednesday night but his remains were eventually found around the Unity road area of the state capital on Saturday.

“He was buried on Saturday evening in Ilorin amid tears by friends, associates and acquaintances,” the statement said.

“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Mubaarak, his friends and all the youth constituencies in the state.

“The Governor, himself a father, strongly condemns the cowardly violence meted to the lad and demands immediate and thorough investigation into the death of the promising chap to arrest and bring his assailants to justice.

“No resources should be spared to get justice for Mubaarak and his family. We charge the security agencies to cast their nets as widely as possible to answer all pending questions about his painful death.

“The Governor prays Allah to grant Mubaarak Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort his family and everyone who mourns the promising lad,” the statement further said.

Kwara PDP Commiserates with family, and friends over Mubarak’s Death; Decries Resurgence of cult-Killings in Ilorin

In the same vein, the Kwara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has described the death of the 27-year-old promising young Kwaran as an irreparable loss to the state and a call for concern over the resurgence of cult killings, hooliganism and violence in the state capital.

This was made known in a statement by the party’s spokesman, Olusegun Olusola, who noted that available records showed that the late Mubaraak, during his lifetime, used his social media skills to fight injustice, advocated good governance and exhibited good conduct as a student and an entrepreneur.

“The PDP, under the chairmanship of Rt. Hon. Tunde Mohammed received with a deep sense of loss, the news of the unfortunate death of Mr. Yusuf Mubarak, a young promising Kwaran, who was declared missing late Wednesday until his remains were said to have been recovered before he was eventually laid to rest yesterday’s evening.

“Our party commiserates with the bereaved family at this trying moment and also mourns with friends, schoolmates and associates while praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“In our mourning state, we strongly condemn the unfortunate resurgence of cult killings and gang violence across the city of Ilorin, an issue that had long been forgotten before 2019. This cold-blooded murder of Mubarak by suspected cultists is a sad reminder of the severe damage that this menace is inflicting on our state.”

The statement read further, “In Kwara state, cult killings are on the rise and criminal gangs have become bolder, killing, maiming and destroying property of rival gang members and innocent citizens alike. This is not to even talk of banditry and kidnapping that have put all rural dwellers in Kwara under serious fear and siege and with the government turning deaf ears to public outcry.

“We, therefore appeal to Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to return home from Abuja, where he seems to have relocated to the Kwara state capital,  so he can focus more on the serious business of governance that is already suffering serious negligence.”

“Our party is disturbed that the man, on whose palms, the destiny and well-being of over 3 million population of Kwarans are resting will be operating from the diaspora while every sector of government suffers back home. We wish to remind Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq that he is not the first Kwara governor to emerge as the Governors’ Forum chairman.

“Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (CON) was governor of Kwara between 2003-2011 and made an indelible mark as one of the most resourceful Governor s’ Forum chairmen who did not relocate Kwara Capital to Abuja during his time.

“Instead, he turned Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara into a tourist center for all Nigerian Governors. Virtually most of the Governors who served with Dr. Bukola Saraki had one reason or the other to come to Kwara every week,” the statement said.