The police have arrested an Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Mohad Ballo, for allegedly killing a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde, for ritual purposes.
Ballo reportedly lured Yetunde after meeting her on Facebook and obtaining her phone number. The tragic incident occurred on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Yetunde was attending a naming ceremony on the day she disappeared. Witnesses said she received a phone call from a friend, left her food to answer it, and never returned.
When she failed to come home, her worried family and friends searched for her but found no trace. The next day, they reported her disappearance at the Oja Oba Police Station in Ilorin.
Police investigators analyzed Yetunde’s phone records and tracked her last call to Ballo, who lives in the Offa Garage area of Ilorin. Although Ballo initially denied any involvement, a search of his residence revealed a horrifying scene—Yetunde’s dismembered body was found in a bowl.
“We were shocked by what we saw. The remains of the victim were in a container, and there were tools likely used in the crime,” said a police officer involved in the investigation.
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Despite the gruesome discovery, Ballo insisted he was innocent. He claimed Yetunde died from an asthma attack after visiting his home. However, the presence of dismemberment tools at the scene raised suspicions that this may not have been his first crime.
Ballo, who is now in police custody at the Kwara State Police Headquarters, is the son of a well-known Islamic cleric from Isalekoto, who recently passed away.
Efforts to reach the Kwara State Police spokesperson for an official statement have been unsuccessful, as her phone remains unreachable. However, police sources confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that Ballo will face prosecution.
The tragic case has sparked outrage in the community, with residents calling for justice for Yetunde. “This is heartbreaking. She was a promising young woman, and her life was cut short in such a brutal manner,” said a family friend.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, especially regarding interactions on social media, as criminals continue to exploit online platforms to lure victims.