Prayer Held for Yetunde Lawal, Allegedly Murdered by Facebook Friend for Rituals
A solemn prayer session was held on Saturday at Adefalu Compound, Ojuekun Area, Ilorin, in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, for the repose of the soul of Miss Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, who was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes by a man she met on Facebook. Reports gathered by YEPS News confirm that the incident has sent shockwaves across the community.
The prayer session, convened by Muslim leaders in the Ojuekun/Sarumi area, was led by Imam Alabidun, a respected Islamic scholar. During the session, Imam Alabidun prayed for Allah’s mercy on the deceased and urged her parents to accept her death as the will of God.
Call for Divine Justice
Imam Alabidun also called on Allah to render judgment upon those responsible for the heinous act. “Those who committed this terrible crime will face divine wrath both in this world and the hereafter,” he declared.
Family’s Grief and Search for Justice
Speaking with journalists after the prayers, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, Yetunde’s father, recounted the tragic series of events. He explained that his daughter, who recently secured a teaching job at a private nursery and primary school in the area, had left home around 12:30 p.m. on Monday to attend a friend’s naming ceremony.
According to Lawal, gathered by YEPS News, Yetunde had informed her friends that she was going to visit someone but never returned home. Concerned by her absence, the family reported her missing at Oja-Oba Police Station on Tuesday.
“After 24 hours, police began tracking her phone. It was later revealed that she was last contacted by the suspect, who eventually confessed to murdering her,” he said.
Evidence of Ritual Killing
The grieving father revealed that the police recovered ritual items—including a horn, black soap, and charms—from the suspect’s apartment, confirming fears that Yetunde was killed for ritual purposes.
“Hafsat was my second daughter. I did not know the suspect as her boyfriend. The person I knew she was in a relationship with was making plans to come and formally seek her hand in marriage.”
Lawal recalled that just two weeks ago, he had advised Yetunde to tell her boyfriend to bring his family for marriage formalities.
A Call for Justice
When asked what he expected from authorities, Lawal made an emotional appeal for justice, urging law enforcement agencies and traditional rulers to ensure a transparent investigation.
“I am pleading with the Nigerian Police Force, both in Kwara State and nationwide, as well as our father, the Emir of Ilorin, to ensure that justice is served. This is the only way people will learn and our society will be rid of such evil elements,” he stated.
Suspect in Custody
Gathered by YEPS News, Yetunde, who studied Chemistry and Integrated Science and had recently completed her National Certificate of Education, was allegedly lured and murdered by a 29-year-old Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello.
Bello, currently in police custody in Ilorin, reportedly called Yetunde on Monday while she was at the naming ceremony, inviting her over. By Tuesday, she was dead. Initially, he claimed she died of an asthma attack but later confessed to killing her.
As investigations continue, Yetunde’s tragic death has reignited concerns over ritual killings and online safety, with many calling for stricter regulations to protect vulnerable young people from such dangers.