Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, popularly known as Buhun Barkonun, a prominent critic of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, has died during a hotel encounter with a woman in Abuja. He was 47.
The #EndSARS movement was a nationwide protest demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit notorious for brutality and extrajudicial killings. It also sought broader reforms to end systemic police violence in Nigeria.
Yusuf, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Community Development to the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, reportedly died days after lodging in the hotel on Tuesday, September 8, 2025, in the Karu-Jikwoyi area of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports, Yusuf checked into the hotel with a woman identified as Ruth. During his stay, he declined meals but consumed large quantities of alcohol.
On the morning of his death, Ruth allegedly purchased an energy drink for him after noticing his deteriorating condition. Shortly after taking it, Yusuf collapsed into a coma.
Hotel staff and Ruth rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police have since opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
Yusuf, widely known as Buhun Barkonun (AMAC), had gained notoriety as one of the loudest voices opposing the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in the Federal Capital Territory.
In October 2020, Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, in a letter addressed to then-Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, urged #EndSARS protesters to vacate major roads in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He argued that the demonstrations were disrupting economic and social activities in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Indigenous people of the FCT, Yusuf conveyed their frustration, warning that they were on the verge of losing their temper.
While expressing anger over the deaths recorded during the protests, the group also lamented the wider impact of the road blockages, noting that farm produce was rotting and daily wage earners were being starved of income as customers could no longer access them.
The letter read: “We the members of the Indigenous People of the FCT wish to express our unreserved displeasure and anger at the blockade of our roads and the disruption of economic activity.
“We write to express our offense, our disgust and our anger at the activities of these so called EndSARS protesters and their blockage of roads, tributaries that function for the economic activities of the FCT residents, not to mention the needless loss of lives.
“We do not want this, and we reject these continued protests, particularly the form these blockages are taking.
“Indeed, the laws that make these protests lawful, reserve in the exercise of all vested human rights the fact that where the right of one person ends, the right of another begins.
“When the protest started, we members of the Abuja community gave it our support because indeed it was a genuine cause for the abolition of SARS, a unit of the police force that had begun to commit illegal activities against Nigerians.
“The government kept its word and listened to the protesters.
“It is however unfortunate that despite these requests being granted, the protesters have refused to return to their businesses and work.
“The freedom of assembly is not permitted to deny others their freedom of movement. That is an infringement and should not be tolerated or accepted by the government or its law enforcement institutions.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to enforce the prohibition of these demonstrations and blockages of our roads.
“If the protesters must continue with the exercise of their rights, they must do so in such a way that recognizes and upholds the right of movement of other FCT residents.”
In a Facebook post on October 22, 2020, Yusuf claimed the protest had been hijacked.
“#IStandWithMyOpinion the #EndSARS protest have been hijacked and it’s now invoking security situation and we cannot destroy the peace and unity in FCT because we don’t have anywhere else to go. If you want to invoke security tension we will not support,” he wrote.
Yusuf also gave the protesters a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the roads of the capital territory.
In a video attached to the post, Yusuf spoke about his earlier ultimatum, saying, “Let me also say the ultimatum that my group gave was 48 hours and the 48 hours just elapsed yesterday before the minister have bound all protests and all that.
“That is to say I have not sent anybody yet to do anything to anybody or to engage the people as I said. Now it’s very simple, I wish to engage the people positively or negatively based on my assessment and how much I love Nigeria. Nigeria is our own and I still stand on the opinion that if only we want to repair and fix Nigeria, we must not destroy it because the people that have invoked so many security situations all over the globe today they are looking for a way to arrest the issue or even stop it.
He argued that the #EndSARS protests had been hijacked and called for a re-strategy if they were to continue.
While affirming his passion for Nigeria, he compared the situation to past movements, warning that, like Boko Haram, such actions could spiral beyond control. He acknowledged that some protests in the past had made him proud, such as the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.
“Today you are blocking Apu, tomorrow you are blocking Beda and about tomorrow and you still say it is peaceful. You cannot hold Nigeria to ransom, you can’t hold Abuja to ransom. I insist, it’s not right,” he said.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have been reacting to his death.
For instance, Chibueze (@chibuking300), in post on X, wrote, “Is this the fct italics anti-endsars guy?”
Replying to the post, RENTED Victor! (@Purevictor) wrote, “You sabi the imbecile wella.. The dustbin that threatened an entire region against protesting in Abuja.
“With all his APC money he cudnt afford himself a decent death.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of his aide.
In a statement released on Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki, Maikalangu described the late Yunusa as a dedicated public servant and a vital bridge builder whose contributions to community development were invaluable.
He extended his condolences to Yunusa’s family, friends, associates, colleagues, and the residents of the FCT over what he called an immense loss.
A wake will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at ECWA Church, Kpaduma 1, followed by a funeral service at the same venue on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
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