The brutal killing of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has triggered widespread condemnation, with prominent figures in the state calling for urgent moral reorientation among young people.
Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, described the incident as “barbaric and senseless,” lamenting the increasing influence of quick-wealth syndrome among youths.
“The killing, under whatever circumstances, is inhumane and condemnable. What is even more disturbing is that both the victim and the suspect are young people. There is an urgent need for value reorientation to curb this destructive desire for instant wealth,” he said through his Chief Press Secretary, Sheu Abdulkadir Yusuf.
Danladi-Salihu assured that the Kwara Assembly would closely monitor the case to ensure justice is served. “We owe it to Hafsoh, her family, and society to see that justice prevails. This is not just about punishing the suspect; it is about sending a clear message that such heinous acts have no place in our state,” he added.
He also urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in shaping their children’s values while encouraging communities to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activities.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, also decried the killing, describing it as an “unfortunate and alien act of wickedness.”
“It is only hard work that brings lasting success,” the Emir said. “We must wage war against idleness and reckless loitering in the name of survival. Our youth need guidance toward meaningful pursuits, not false promises of overnight riches.”
He called on religious leaders to take a firm stand against fraudulent individuals who disguise as clerics to mislead young people. The Emir further directed Imams across the state to use their sermons to emphasize morality, dignity in labor, and the sanctity of human life.
The Ilorin Women Association (IWA) also expressed deep grief over the murder, with its Coordinator, Prof. Aisha Gobir, calling it a “shocking and painful tragedy.”
“This incident should be a wake-up call for everyone,” she said. “We must actively mentor and guide our youths away from destructive influences. Parents must be more involved in their children’s lives, ensuring they are not lured into dangerous associations.”
Prof. Gobir also cautioned young people against oversharing personal details on social media, warning that such exposure could make them easy targets for criminals.
While commending the police for swiftly apprehending the suspect, she urged law enforcement agencies to ensure the case is handled with the seriousness it deserves.
The association extended prayers for Allah’s mercy upon Hafsoh Lawal and strength for her grieving family, while calling on youths to embrace honesty and hard work as the only path to a meaningful future.
