The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed deep sorrow and condemnation over the brutal murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. Lawal was allegedly killed by Abdulrahman Bello, an Islamic cleric she met on Facebook.
The Emir directed Imams across the state to use their Friday sermons to preach against ritual killings and other inhuman acts, emphasizing the need to uphold morality and dignity in society. He also called on parents, guardians, and community members to be vigilant and ensure their children associate with individuals of good character.
Sulu-Gambari described the incident as “most unfortunate, alien to the culture of Ilorin, and a regrettable act of wickedness.” He urged clerics to help sanitize the system by identifying and exposing individuals like Bello to law enforcement agencies before they cause more harm.
The victim’s father, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, alleged that his daughter was murdered for ritual purposes, citing the discovery of charms, black soap, and a horn in the suspect’s apartment as evidence.
The Kwara State Police Command arrested Bello, a 29-year-old Islamic teacher and cleric, over the alleged murder. The suspect had invited the victim through a phone call, and subsequently killed and dismembered her at a location in the Olunlade area on the outskirts of Ilorin.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations had commenced. The police have assured the public that justice will be served as investigations continue.
Abubakar Imam, National Secretary of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, called for collective efforts to eradicate ritual killings, emphasizing that the community knows the rightly guided clerics and the pretenders.
Imam suggested that stakeholders should follow the matter to its logical conclusion, ensuring that justice is served. He also urged neighborhood associations to fight ritual killings as they would drug addiction and hooliganism.
