An Ilorin Magistrate’s Court in Kwara State has ordered the remand of Abdurahman Bello, the suspected killer of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, at the Correctional Centre in Ilorin.
The court, sitting on Tuesday, February 18, also arraigned five other suspects allegedly involved in the heinous crime. Bello and his co-accused, including two self-proclaimed Islamic clerics, a phone repairer, and a farmer, appeared in court without legal representation.
The suspects identified as Ahmed AbdulWasiu (41), Suleiman Muhyideen (28), Jamiu Uthman (29), and AbdulRahman Jamiu, were charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, possession of human parts, and armed robbery.
Gruesome Murder for Ritual Purposes
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented in court, the suspects were allegedly involved in ritual killings and had been terrorizing the state. Their crimes violate Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code, Section 2 of the Kwara State Prohibition Law on Dealing in Human Parts (2018), and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act CAP R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004).
The investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ilorin, revealed that Bello, who claimed to be a cleric, had conspired with his accomplices to murder Hafsoh Lawal for ritual purposes. The report further stated that they robbed the victim of her jewelry and other valuables before killing her.
Tracking the Suspect Through the Victim’s Phone
The case came to light when the victim’s father, Adefalu Lawal Ibrahim, reported to the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters, Oja-Oba, Ilorin, that his daughter had gone missing.
According to him, Hafsoh Lawal had attended a friend’s naming ceremony on February 10, 2025, but never returned home. Despite multiple calls, her phone rang without any response, prompting her parents to reach out to her friends, who claimed she left the event alone.
Following a police investigation, the victim’s phone was tracked to Abdurahman Bello, leading to his arrest.
Court Orders Suspects’ Remand, Investigation Continues
The police believe the arrested individuals are part of a larger criminal syndicate involved in ritual killings and other criminal activities across Kwara State. The court has remanded the suspects in custody, pending further investigation and legal proceedings.
Authorities have assured the public that justice will be served, and all individuals involved in the gruesome murder will face the full weight of the law.
