The Muslim Ummah, a prominent Islamic organization based in Ilorin with members across the Southwest, has attributed the rising cases of ritual killings in Nigeria to the failure of many governors to sign death warrants since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Amir of the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Abdur-Razzaq Abdulwahhab Al-Ameen Aladodo, condemned the recent ritual killing of Hafsah Yetunde Lawal, allegedly carried out by a suspect, AbdulRahman Bello. He also disowned Bello, stating that he is not a recognized Islamic cleric (Alfa).
The Amir urged state governors, particularly in Kwara, to sign death warrants as a decisive measure to curb ritual killings and other violent crimes.
“It is a breach of trust for governors to neglect their duty of signing death warrants. Any individual convicted of capital offenses by a court should be executed as stipulated by law. Unfortunately, since Nigeria embraced democracy in 1999, only two governors— the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu of Kogi State and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole— have signed death warrants. This has contributed significantly to the persistence of ritual killings,” he stated.
He criticized governors who fail to carry out executions, arguing that their reluctance allows many convicts to escape justice.
“Many criminals have been convicted, yet some governors invoke prerogative of mercy to release them. This lack of enforcement is a major reason why ritual killings continue to thrive. I call on all state governors, particularly in Kwara, to promptly sign death warrants for convicted felons on death row,” he added.
The Amir further expressed concerns over individuals who distort Islamic teachings for personal gain, denouncing their involvement in diabolical practices.
“It is unfortunate that some so-called scholars have abandoned the true values of Islam and have resorted to using human parts for money rituals, falsely associating such practices with Islamic teachings,” he said.
Condemning the murder of Hafsah Lawal, the Muslim Ummah described the act as barbaric and un-Islamic.
“We strongly denounce the horrific and cruel killing of Hafsah Lawal. Such savagery has no place in Islam. Furthermore, I want to make it clear that the accused, AbdulRahman Bello, is not an Islamic cleric (Alfa), as some reports suggest. Although he may have attended Islamic schools (Madrasa), he strayed into diabolical practices under the influence of corrupt scholars who exploit human parts for ritual purposes,” he stated.
The group called for a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of all suspects involved in the crime, regardless of their status.
“The government must ensure that justice is served without political interference. The abuse of the power of prerogative of mercy to release convicts on political grounds should be discontinued,” the Amir concluded.