THE Kwara State Council of Ulama has condemned the murder of a student, Hafsoh Lawal, by one Abdulrahman Bello for ritual purposes.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital, the council, led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Salih, appealed to the state police command to be thorough in its investigations, asking that anyone found culpable in the criminal act should be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others with criminal intentions.
Other members of the council at the press conference include the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muyideen Salman Hussein; the Chief Imam of Malete, Abdullah Ibrahim; the Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Dr Mujitaba Bature; Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh AbdulAzeez Suleiman; Chief imam of Lafiagi; Professor Lanre Badmas, Alhaji Abdulhamid Hadi, Justice Adam Idris (rtd) and the secretary of the council, retired Justice Salihu Olohuntoyin Mohammed.
The scholars said they were interested in pursuing justice for Hafsoh and her family, adding that, “On our own part, we will not relent in assisting the security agencies in getting to the root of the matter.”
They called on Nigerians to avoid profiling any community for the sinful acts of a few individuals, saying that “Ilorin and indeed, Kwara State, are not homes for ritualists. We are known for our Islamic culture, of which ritualism is not a part. We call on all Nigerians to avoid profiling any community for the sinful acts of a few in our midst. Ritual acts are offensive to all known religions. We must all rise up and be counted in the war against it.”
Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Salih said, “As a first step, a meeting is being planned with various Muslim leaders and clerics on how to prevent this kind of occurrence from taking place in our state and the nation in the future.”
The council said that it planned to organise a sensitisation programme for young scholars on best ways to carry out dawah that would enjoy the favour of Allah.
“We will also redouble our efforts in preaching the correct attitude towards the propagation of Islam. Ever since the unfortunate incident occurred, the council has stepped up its activities in counseling our Alfas and the other clerics on the best conduct in preaching the religion of Islam that our town and state have been known for through the ages.
“The council, therefore, condemns the murder of Miss Hafsoh Lawal by Abdulrahaman Bello for ritual purposes. Our religion forbids the killing of another soul, which is a grave crime in the sight of our Creator. For a young lady who was full of life to be cut down in her youth, her killer has definitely committed an unpardonable offence against Allah, who has warned us to be righteous at all times. (See Qur’an Suratul Maidah. Surah 5, verse 32 and Suratul Israi, Surah 17, Verse 33).
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“We commiserate with the family of Hafsoh, who has been thrown into mourning due to the ungodly act of Abdulrahman. In this moment of grief, it is only Allah who can console the family.”
Meanwhile, the council has commended the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for ensuring peace and peaceul co-existence in thestate, saying that growth and development cannot be attained in the absence of peace.
“We are indeed very grateful, sir. We promise our continous cooperation with you to achieve more kudos for the government in these areas of peace and peaceul co-existence without which no growth and development is possible in the state.
“Finally, the Council of Ulama condemns the murder of Hafsoh by Abdulrahaman Bello. The law should take its course on the matter. This is our stand.”
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