The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed deep sorrow over the gruesome murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, allegedly killed by Abdulrahman Bello, an acclaimed Islamic cleric.

In response, the Emir directed Imams across the state to use their Friday sermons to preach against ritual killings and other inhuman acts, emphasising the need to uphold morality and dignity in society.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, on Sunday, Sulu-Gambari condemned the incident, describing it as “most unfortunate, alien to the culture of Ilorin, and a regrettable act of wickedness.”

“It has become pertinent for parents, guardians, and members of the community to remain vigilant about happenings around them, ensuring their children and wards associate with individuals of tested and trusted character with well-researched family backgrounds,” the Emir stated.

He further stressed that only hard work yields success, calling for a total war against idleness, laziness, and unwarranted loitering by youths under the guise of seeking means of survival.

The Emir also urged clerics in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond to help sanitize the system by identifying and exposing individuals like Abdulrahman Bello to law enforcement agencies before they cause more harm.

While commiserating with the family of the late Hafsoh Lawal, Sulu-Gambari called on the Nigeria Police and the judiciary to ensure that justice is served.

“He, therefore, directs religious leaders, especially Imams in mosques across Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State, to ensure that their Friday Khutbah (sermon) focuses on morality, dignity in labour, and the importance of respecting human life, regardless of tribe, religion, or status,” the statement added.

It will be recalled that the Kwara State Police Command recently arrested a 29-year-old Islamic teacher and cleric over the alleged murder of Hafsoh Lawal.

The victim, identified as Miss Yetunde Hafsoh Lawal, was reportedly murdered on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, by the suspect, whom she had met on Facebook.

The suspect, who also serves as an Islamic teacher, allegedly invited the victim through a phone call on Monday, February 10, 2025, and subsequently killed and dismembered her at a location in the Olunlade area on the outskirts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that investigations had commenced.

“The Kwara Police Command is aware of the gruesome killing of Miss Yetunde H. Lawal. On 11/02/2025 at about 1800 hours, a case of a missing person was reported at C Division, Oja-Oba, by her father, Mr. Ibrahim A. Lawal.

“Immediately, police detectives swung into action, tracked her number, and arrested a suspect. Exhibits were recovered, and the case was transferred on Friday to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigations,” she stated.


https://punchng.com/facebook-murder-ilorin-emir-urges-imams-to-preach-against-ritual-killings/