By Isiaka Babatunde
The gruesome killing of the late Miss Hafsot Yetunde Lawal by AbdulRahman Muhammad Bello in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, remains a topic of public discussion across Nigeria and beyond.
To set the record straight, the suspect in question is not a cleric, contrary to widespread media reports. He is a student, not a cleric. By definition, an Islamic cleric is a religious leader or scholar who has received training and education in Islamic theology, law, and traditions. In contrast, this 29-year-old individual, driven by devilish ambition, has never been a cleric. His behavior was motivated by sinful, wicked, and sacrilegious desires. Islam prohibits killing, whether oneself or another human being.
During his parade by the Nigeria Police, Kwara State Command, Bello revealed that he was a student at an Arabic school and aspired to attend university. This statement clearly indicates that the murderer is neither an Islamic scholar nor a cleric, making it incorrect to describe him as such. While not all Islamic clerics are saints, referring to him as a cleric may unfairly tarnish the reputation of innocent and God-fearing clerics.
Suspected murder of Hafsot, Abdulrahman
He is a young boy with grand ambitions, but unfortunately, his desire for overnight wealth has led him down a misguided path. Consumed by get-rich-quick schemes, he has lost sight of the fact that ill-gotten gains can never bring true fulfillment or lasting happiness.
This is a message to all and sundry that prosperity built on dishonest foundations can never yield genuine joy or enduring satisfaction. Besides, the wrath of God awaits papetrators of evil deeds on the day of resurrection.
The first and most devastating consequence of the boy’s actions is the irreparable harm inflicted upon the parents and immediate family of the late Miss Hafsot. Their lives will forever be scarred by the tragedy, leaving an unhealable wound.
Furthermore, the boy’s family will also bear the brunt of his actions, as their reputation will be tarnished by association. The family’s name will be eternally linked to the heinous crime, causing them immense public embarrassment and shame. As we sympertise with the family of the deceased, we need to empathise with Bello’s family.
The boy’s actions also bring dishonor to the entire Ilorin emirate, as both the perpetrator and the victim hail from the same community. This senseless act is a slap in the face to the true sons and daughters of the emirate, casting a dark shadow over their collective reputation.
There is no doubt about the fact that this boy’s dastardly act can be attributed, in part, to the misguided sermons and lectures by some pocket of clerics who prioritise get-rich-quick syndrome and ill-gotten wealth in their public lectures.These individuals, driven by self-interest, distort the true teachings of Islam to impress their audiences.
It is imperative that we hold these preachers accountable for their actions. Islam emphasizes hard work, integrity, and moral rectitude, not shortcuts to wealth or miraculous solutions. We must call out these agents of misinformation who, under the guise of religious instruction, spread harmful ideologies that undermine the true principles of Islam.
By speaking out against such misguided teachings, we can promote a more authentic understanding of Islam and foster a culture that values honesty, compassion, and moral responsibility.
Isiaka Babatunde writes from the Kwara State University (KWASU)
