The father of Hafsat Lawal, a 24-year-old final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, has alleged that his daughter was murdered for ritual purposes by a cleric in Ilorin.
Mallam Ibrahim Lawal, a secondary school teacher in Kwara State, recounted the tragic incident in an interview, revealing that Hafsat had completed her studies but was facing minor issues with her final results. While waiting for resolution, she took up a teaching job at a private school.
The Disappearance & Investigation
Hafsat went missing on the day of a friend’s child-naming ceremony after receiving a phone call. When her family couldn’t reach her, they reported to the police, who then tracked her last phone calls. This led to the arrest of an Alfa (Islamic cleric), Abdulrahman Bello, who had called Hafsat multiple times that day.
Initially, Bello denied any involvement, but upon interrogation, he confessed to killing and dismembering Hafsat’s body. Police also found fetish objects at his residence, raising suspicions of ritual killing.
Justice for Hafsat
Ibrahim Lawal expressed deep sorrow over his daughter’s gruesome murder but reaffirmed his faith in Allah. He called on the Nigerian police and the Emir of Ilorin to ensure justice is served.
“Ilorin is an Islamic city; justice must take its course,” he stated, warning that if the authorities fail, the family will seek alternative ways to get justice.