The civil society community in Kwara State has been thrown into mourning following the death of prominent human rights activist Saliu Berkindo Bolakale, popularly known as CB.

Bolakale, a leading member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and convener of the civic group Concerned Kwarans, was confirmed dead on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

He was widely known for his advocacy for human rights, accountable governance, electoral reforms and social justice. He was a regular participant in protests, civic engagements and public affairs programmes in Ilorin and beyond.

In June 2024, Bolakale led Concerned Kwarans in demanding credible local government elections, greater accountability and respect for democratic processes in Kwara State. He also spoke frequently on workers' welfare, the rising cost of living, local government autonomy and the need for citizens to participate actively in governance.

During the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, he was among the civil society figures who raised concerns about the disruption of peaceful protests in Ilorin and defended citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Bolakale also contributed opinion articles and appeared on radio, television and online programmes, where he discussed governance, politics and socioeconomic issues affecting residents of the state.

In April 2020, he was appointed to the nine-member Kwara State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy constituted by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The council was charged with advising the governor on the release of eligible inmates and the decongestion of correctional facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outside civil society advocacy, Bolakale worked in the aviation sector as a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and as an airport-operations professional.

Members of the CDHR and the wider civil society community have described his death as a major loss to the struggle for human rights, public accountability and social justice in Kwara State.

Details surrounding his death and burial arrangements had not been officially announced by the family at the time of filing this report.