Society

When Justice Feels Fragmented: The Heartbreaking Burial Of Hafsah Lawal

A mood filled with sorrow and anger covered the city of Ilorin on Monday as the remains of Hafsah Lawal, a bright final-year student at Kwara State College of Education, were finally laid to rest. The 22-year-old’s body — cruelly mutilated and delayed by court processes — was buried in Sango, Ilorin, according to Islamic customs.

Her tragic death has become a symbol of national failure.

Tears rolled freely, and bitter words filled the air. Friends, sympathisers, and family members struggled to remain composed as Hafsah’s body — allegedly dismembered by her supposed Facebook boyfriend, AbdulRahman Bello — was lowered into the ground. All her hopes, her future, her joy were brutally taken away.

Her father, Ibrahim Lawal, stood in deep pain, watching his daughter’s final moments on earth. Speaking with a trembling voice, he confirmed the burial, stating that the body was released to them only after a prolonged legal struggle. “No father should ever experience this,” he said.

The Kwara State High Court ordered the release of Hafsah’s remains after the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Sulyman, led the legal team supporting the family’s plea. The request went unchallenged by the defence counsel, Chukwudi Maduka, who acknowledged the heavy emotions surrounding the case.

The accused, AbdulRahman Bello, and four others — Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu — are currently facing trial for conspiracy and murder. This case is not just a matter for the courts — it highlights the deep wounds violence continues to inflict on our communities.

A Country in Deep Sorrow

This terrible act has sparked renewed calls for justice and responsibility. How many more lives will be lost before things change? How long will violence continue to thrive among us? These are the painful questions on the minds of many Nigerians.

Let Hafsah’s Story Be a Wake-Up Call

Her death must not be ignored. Let her tragic story strengthen our united demand for justice. Speak up. Share her story. Stand against violence, and let us build a society where no innocent life is wasted.