Abdoulaye Tandina, affectionately known by Tonka residents as Badou “Wayé,” which translates to “the butcher” in Songhai, or simply Abba by the children he showed particular care towards, has tragically lost his life. A close relative shared a heartfelt tribute, highlighting his benevolent nature.

On Monday evening, as dusk settled, armed assailants seized Tandina from the bustling market square where he sold his meat. He was then forcibly taken a short distance away and executed by the roadside.

Hailing from a prominent butchery family in Tombouctou, Abdoulaye Tandina had made Tonka his home for at least four decades, according to a long-time friend. He had even once held the respected position of the city’s chief butcher, though some report he no longer held this official title. His daughter, who operates a business in Tombouctou, is described as “inconsolable” by a sympathetic family member.

Family and friends baffled by the assassination’s motive

Abdoulaye Tandina’s death marks the fourth targeted assassination in Tonka in just over eight months. Previous victims include a leader of the communal youth association, killed in late March, and a revered Quranic teacher, who was murdered in June. The nation was particularly shocked in November 2025 by the public execution of Mariam Cissé, a young TikToker known for openly expressing her support for the Malian army.

However, Tandina’s inner circle asserts that he “did not display his political convictions,” leaving them perplexed as to why jihadists would target him. A family member disclosed that Abdoulaye Tandina was a cousin of the current head of Tombouctou’s special delegation, which serves as the interim municipal authority in the absence of elections. This familial connection, however, does not appear to offer a sufficient explanation for his killing.

Requests for comment directed to both the Tombouctou regional governorate and the Malian army have so far gone unanswered.