Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, father of the late Yetunde Lawal, has demanded justice for his daughter, alleging that she was murdered for ritual purposes.
He pointed to the discovery of charms, black soap, and a horn in the suspect’s residence as evidence supporting his claim.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday during a special prayer session held in her honor at Adefalu Compound, Ojuekun area of Ilorin, Kwara State, Lawal emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
The prayer session, led by prominent Islamic cleric Imam Alabidun, was attended by religious leaders and community members who prayed for Yetunde’s soul and called for divine justice against those responsible for her death.
Yetunde, who had recently secured a teaching position at a private nursery and primary school, was last seen on Monday after leaving a naming ceremony to meet someone she had connected with on Facebook.
When she failed to return home, her worried family reported her disappearance to the Oja-Oba Police Station the following day.
Police investigations led to Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, a 29-year-old Islamic cleric, who was identified as the last person she contacted.
Bello initially claimed Yetunde had died from an asthma attack but later confessed to her murder. Authorities recovered various ritual-related items from his apartment in the Olunlade area of Ilorin South, heightening suspicions of ritual killing.
Alhaji Lawal revealed that his daughter was in a committed relationship with another man who had been making preparations to formally propose to her. He insisted he was unaware of any romantic involvement between Yetunde and the suspect.
Expressing his grief, he called on law enforcement agencies, as well as the Emir of Ilorin, to ensure a transparent investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice. He stressed that holding those responsible accountable would serve as a deterrent and help curb such crimes in society.
Yetunde, who recently completed her National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Chemistry and Integrated Science, had her life tragically cut short, sparking widespread outrage and renewed demands for justice.