Tragedy: Final-Year Student Found Dismembered in Ilorin; Suspect in Custody

From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin

Tragedy has struck in Ilorin as Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, has been found murdered, sending shockwaves through the community.

Yetunde was declared missing on Monday, February 10, 2025, after attending a naming ceremony. Witnesses say she received a phone call, abandoned her meal, and left the gathering abruptly. Her father, Ibrahim Lawal, reported her disappearance the next day at the Oja-Oba Police Division.

Acting on the report, police detectives tracked her last phone call to a young man residing in the Offa Garage area, identified as the son of a well-known Islamic cleric from Isalekoto. He was promptly arrested but initially denied any involvement. However, during a search of his residence, a gruesome discovery was made—Yetunde’s dismembered body hidden in a bowl, along with tools suspected to have been used in the act.

A police source revealed chilling details: “At first, he claimed she had an asthma attack and died in his house. But further investigation uncovered disturbing evidence, suggesting this may not be his first crime. A table in his room appeared to be equipped with tools for dismembering bodies.”

The suspect allegedly lured Yetunde through Facebook, where they met before he invited her over. Investigators believe there may be more to the story, as forensic analysis continues.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, assured the public of a thorough investigation.

“The command is aware of the gruesome killing of Miss Yetunde H. Lawal. A missing person report was filed on February 11, and detectives acted swiftly, leading to the arrest of a suspect. The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further probing,” she said.

As the community reels from the horror of Yetunde’s fate, her grieving family and fellow students are demanding justice.

Meanwhile, security agencies urged the public to remain vigilant, cautious, especially regarding online interactions with strangers.

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