An Islamic cleric identified as Alfa Moshood, is currently on the run after he and 60 others allegedly beat up one of his students to coma over theft in Ilorin, Kwara state.

It was gathered that the cleric accused the student of stealing his locally made safe, popularly called ‘kolo’.

The incident happened on Thursday, April 8, in the cleric’s Qur’anic centre at Ogidi, Opposite Federal College, Ilorin.

The 14-year-old student (names withheld), in his confession after he regained consciousness, said the cleric flogged him severely with a ‘koboko’ before instructing about 60 people who were around at the time to flog him 10 strokes of the cane each until he passed out.

The boy said he was held down on a table by some persons while being flogged.

He also said his mother, Ajara, enrolled him in the Qur’anic centre about a year ago.

It was further learnt that the cleric fled after the case was reported at the National Human Right Commission, Kwara State branch.

Confirming the incident, a representative of the commission, Barrister Ahmed Rufai, told Daily Trust that the boy is presently on admission at an undisclosed hospital in Ilorin West Local Government while efforts are on to arrest the said teacher.