Saraki, Emir of Ilorin, Ali Ahmad ,Ilorin Women Association Condemn Gruesome Murder of Kwara Student, Call for Justice * IEYDA pays condolence visit to family 

By Omowumi Omotosho

The gruesome killing of Hafsoh Lawal, a graduate of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin by her boyfriend and self-proclaimed Islamic cleric has been attracting torrent of condemnation by eminent Kwarans and groups, with many demanding justice for the victim.

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his reaction, strongly condemned the brutal killing of Hafsoh.

In a statement released by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki expressed his deep sorrow and called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the crime and ensure justice is served.

“The loss of societal values and the disregard for human lives in the pursuit of worldly materials has become of grave concern,” Saraki stated. “While I commend the law enforcement agents for unravelling this criminal act, I ask them to ensure that justice is done in this case.”

He further urged the police to conduct a meticulous investigation to determine if there were any accomplices involved in the crime.

“In fact, there’s a need for diligent investigation to ascertain the possible involvement of accomplices,” he emphasized.

Offering his condolences to the family of the victim, the Adefalu family of Ojuekun Sarumi Ward in Ilorin West LGA, Saraki encouraged them to take solace in their faith.

“I charge them to take this unfortunate incident as the will of the Creator and pray to Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss,” he said.

The Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin also highlighted the rising acts of inhumanity in society and called for a societal reorientation led by religious leaders.

“I also call on religious leaders to lead the campaign against these acts of inhumanity and redirect the people’s mental attitude towards self-satisfaction and dignity for human life,” he added.

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic murder.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari strongly denounced the incident, emphasizing that “It is most unfortunate, alien and regretable act of wickedness.”

He noted that “It has become pertinent for parents, guardians as well as people in the neighborhood to remain vigilant to happenings around them especially ensuring that their children and wards are in the company of people of tested and trusted characters with well-researched family background.

The Emir further stated that, “It is only hardwork that pays, total war should be declared against idleness, laziness and unwarranted loitering around the society by youths in the name of finding means of survival.”

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari therefore called on clerics within the Ilorin Emirate and beyond to take proactive measures in cleansing the religious system by identifying and exposing individuals like Abdulrahman Bello to law enforcement agencies before they inflict further harm on innocent lives.

Expressing his condolences to the family of the late Hafsoh Lawal, he lamented the tragic loss of a young woman with great potential. He also urged the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary to ensure that full justice is served in the case without compromise.

Furthermore, the Emir directed religious leaders, particularly Imams across Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State, to center their Friday sermons (Khutbah) on themes such as morality, the dignity of labor, and the sanctity of human life. He emphasized the need to instill respect for human lives, regardless of tribe, religion, or social status.

Also, the Speaker of the 8th Kwara State House of Assembly, Prof. Ali Ahmad, in a statement, released by his media assistant, Sa’ad Ayinde, described the incident as “not just a crime against an individual but a damning reflection of society’s failure to protect the innocent from predators hiding behind religion, privilege, and false piety.”

Ali extended his deepest condolences to Hafsoh’s family, lamenting that “no parent should have to endure such a tragedy.” He called for swift and uncompromising justice, stressing that “law enforcement must thoroughly investigate this case, determine whether the suspect had accomplices or previous victims, and ensure that justice is served without delay.”

Raising concerns about the suspect, Ali questioned whether families and communities turn a blind eye to criminal behavior due to misplaced pride, status, or negligence. “How often do we ignore warning signs? Are families and neighbors complicit when they fail to speak up against suspicious behavior? We must confront these uncomfortable truths if we truly want justice for Hafsoh,” he stated.

He reminded the public that under his leadership in 2018, the Kwara State House of Assembly passed a law holding landlords accountable for criminal activities conducted on their properties. “This law was meant to ensure that landlords and communities take responsibility for monitoring their environments. We must now ask: Did the suspect’s family or neighbors notice strange activities and ignore them? Could this tragedy have been prevented if the law had been properly enforced?,” Ali declared.

Urging strict implementation of the law, he warned that “ignoring suspicious behavior amounts to complicity in crime.” He stressed that those who knowingly or unknowingly harbor criminals must face legal consequences.

He also highlighted the growing dangers posed by social media, where criminals exploit digital platforms to lure victims. “We live in a digital world where danger is just a click away. Criminals use social media to deceive and manipulate, and our young people must be educated on digital safety,” he said. He called on parents to be more involved in their children’s online activities, emphasizing that vigilance in the virtual world is just as critical as in the physical world.

Commending the Kwara State Police Command for their swift action in tracking and apprehending the suspect, Ali acknowledged their efforts but insisted that “this must not be the end of the conversation. Law enforcement must conduct a deeper investigation to uncover whether this suspect has committed other crimes before now.” He urged additional measures to ensure long-term safety, stating that “this is not just about solving one case—it’s about preventing future tragedies.”

He stressed that Hafsoh’s death must not be in vain, calling on all stakeholders—lawmakers, law enforcement, religious leaders, and community members—to take decisive action against ritual killings, gender-based violence, and the abuse of religious influence. “This is more than just Hafsoh’s story—it is a defining moment for Kwara society. We must rise against evil and ensure that justice is served,” he stated.

The Ilorin Women Association in its own reaction, strongly condemned the gruesome murder.

In a statement released on Sunday in Ilorin, the group’s Coordinator, Prof. Aisha Gobir, described the tragedy as both shocking and horrifying. The statement, which was released by the association’s Secretary, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, highlighted the collective grief and outrage felt by the community following the disturbing revelations that surfaced on social media on Thursday.

Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic end of Hafsoh’s life, Prof. Gobir condemned the alleged perpetrator’s actions, describing them as a reflection of a growing societal decay fueled by the pursuit of illicit wealth.

Commending the swift intervention of the Nigerian Police Force, which acted promptly on the report filed by Hafsoh’s family, she reaffirmed the association’s commitment to collaborating with other progressive groups in Ilorin Emirate. She emphasized the need for proactive advocacy and mentorship programs aimed at eradicating harmful practices that contradict the values upheld by the community’s forebears.

Prof. Gobir also urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s lives, stressing that early intervention could prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors that tarnish their reputation and that of the community.

Additionally, she cautioned young people and social media users against oversharing personal information online, warning of the potential dangers associated with digital exposure.

Offering prayers for the late Hafsoh, she sought divine comfort for her grieving family and called on wrongdoers to abandon their evil ways and embrace a life of righteousness.

The Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA), in collaboration with the Okelele Youth League and Oju Ekun Development, paid a condolence visit to the family of the victim.

Leading the delegation, IEYDA’s National President, Alhaji Muhammad Uthman Jagunma, visited both her paternal relatives, the Adefalu family, and her maternal kin, the Adeyi family, to express their profound sorrow over the loss.

Hafsoh’s untimely death, allegedly at the hands of Abdulrahman Mohad Bello for ritual purposes, has sent shockwaves through the community. The association reassured the grieving family that they would continue to push for justice to be served.

In their remarks, IEYDA and its affiliate groups emphasized the need for parents and guardians to instill strong moral values in children, stressing that fostering ethical upbringing can help curb such heinous acts in society.