Adenilson Silva Nascimento, an indigenous health agent and community leader, was ambushed and shot dead on March 05, 2015, between the municipalities of Ilheus and Una, in an indigenous area called “Tupinamba de Olivenca”, Bahia state.

According to preliminary reports, the leader was with his family on his way back home, when out of the blue they were ambushed by hooded men and he was shot thirteen times and died. His wife, Zenaildes Menezes Ferreira, was shot in the legs and chest, however she survived at the attack.

On April 12, 2019 the Public Prosecutor’s Office  initiated an investigation to prosecute Edivan de Moreira da Silva, known as “Van de Moreira”, one of the three hooded men, who took part in Adenilson’s murder.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office the main reason for the crime was because of the leader’s involvement in the struggle for land, mainly indigenous land.