A prayer session was on Saturday held at Adefalu Compound, Ojuekun Area, Ilorin, in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State for the repose of the soul of Miss Yetunde Lawal, a final year student of Kwara State College of Education, who was allegedly murdered for ritual purpose by a Facebook friend.

The prayer session conveyed by Muslim leaders in the Ojuekun/Sarumi area was led by Imam Alabidun, a popular Islamic scholar in the area.

Alabidun, who prayed to Allah to grant rest to the deceased, also urged the parents to accept the death of Hafsat as the wish of Allah.

He also prayed to Allah to reward the perpetrators of the act with the right judgement adding that “Those who committed the act of ending the life of Hafsat will face the wrath of God in this earth and the world beyond.”

Speaking with reporters shortly after the prayers, the father of Hafsat, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal said that the deceased was a resident in the family compound, adding that she recently secured a teaching job in a private Nursery/Primary school in the area.

“She returned from her job at about 12.30 pm on Monday and went to attend the naming ceremony of one of her friends also in this area when she informed her friends that she was going to visit a friend.

“We didn’t see her return on that day, and she didn’t sleep at home. We reported at Oja-Oba Police station on Tuesday that she was missing from home after 24 hours adding that the tracking of her phone revealed that she was called on the phone by the suspect who later confessed that he murdered her.

“Some of the items which included horn, black soap and charms recovered by the Police from the room apartment of the suspect clearly showed that Hafsat who is my second daughter was murdered for ritual purposes”, the father of the deceased who is a school teacher said.

Lawal, who said that he didn’t know the suspect as the boyfriend of Hafsat, said the boy that she knew was dating was preparing to come to his family to ask her hand in marriage.

He said, “About fifteen days ago, I told her to tell the boy I know as her boyfriend to bring his family to our family to formalise their marriage.”

Asked what he wanted the government to do on the matter, the father said that all he wanted was justice so that people could learn lessons from the incident and the society would be at rest.

“I want to appeal to the Nigeria Police Force not only in Kwara state, the entire country and to our father, the Emir of Ilorin to carry out the investigation transparently so that Justice would be seen to have been done in this matter so that people would learn lessons and the society would be free of undesirable elements”, he said.

Yetunde who recently completed her National Certificate of Education and studied Chemistry and Integrated Science was allegedly murdered by a Facebook friend identified as Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, who is currently in police detention in Ilorin, Kwara state.

The victim was allegedly murdered on Tuesday at the rented apartment of the Islamic teacher and a cleric located in the Olunlade area in the Ilorin South local government area of Kwara state.

The 29-year-old cleric allegedly called Yetunde on the phone while she was attending a naming ceremony of one of her friends in the Ojuekun area on Monday for a visit.

He allegedly murdered her and lied to the police that she died of asthma before later confessing that she was murdered.

A 29-year-old Islamic teacher, Abdulrahman Bello, was on Saturday arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly killing a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Yetunde Lawal.

Bello was said to have connected with 25-year-old Lawal on Facebook and invited her to his house through a phone call on February 10, 2025.

According to sources, the suspect allegedly killed and dismembered Lawal at a location in Ganmo, on the outskirts of Ilorin, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident to Sunday TheNigerian, stating that an investigation had commenced.

She said, “The Kwara Police Command is aware of the gruesome killing of one Miss Yetunde H. Lawal. On 11/02/2025 at about 1800 hours, a case of a missing person was reported at C Division, Oja-Oba, by her father, Ibrahim A. Lawal.

“Immediately, police detectives swung into action, tracked her number, and arrested a suspect. Exhibits were recovered, and the case was transferred yesterday to the SCID for discreet investigations.”

Sources revealed that Lawal was last seen on February 10, 2025, after leaving a naming ceremony, during which she received a phone call, suspected to be from Bello.

The sources added that Lawal’s caller was tracked and identified as Bello, who lived at Offa Garage, a distinct area of Ilorin.

A source said, “The suspect was arrested. He initially denied knowledge of Yetunde’s (Lawal) whereabouts but later confessed after police searched his house. He claimed she was in his house and had died from an asthma attack. However, the police later discovered Yetunde’s dismembered body parts in a bowl.

“They met on Facebook, where the suspect obtained Yetunde’s phone number before inviting her to his house.”

For years, Facebook has played a significant role in Nigeria’s digital landscape. From social networking to business marketing and even political discourse, it has been a key platform for millions of Nigerians. However, with the rise of newer social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), many are questioning whether Facebook is still relevant in Nigeria or if its usage is declining.

How Facebook Usage Is Changing in Nigeria

While Facebook remains one of the most used social networks in Nigeria, its user demographics and engagement patterns are shifting. A detailed survey on Facebook’s relevance reveals that different age groups interact with the platform in various ways. Younger Nigerians are gravitating towards video-based platforms, while older users continue to rely on Facebook for communication, news, and business.

Facebook’s widespread use among small businesses, community groups, and digital marketers has kept it relevant despite competition from other platforms. The platform’s integration with WhatsApp and Instagram through Meta’s ecosystem further strengthens its presence in Nigeria’s social media scene.

The Role of Facebook in Nigerian Businesses

Facebook remains a crucial tool for Nigerian entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its targeted advertising capabilities and vast user base allow businesses to reach potential customers with ease. A recent report by MNV highlights that Facebook Ads continue to deliver value for businesses looking to scale in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Facebook Marketplace has also gained traction, allowing small business owners to connect directly with buyers without needing a dedicated e-commerce platform. Many Nigerian entrepreneurs use Facebook to promote their goods and services, leveraging features such as live selling and business pages.

Facebook’s Influence on Nigerian Politics and News Consumption

Beyond business, Facebook plays a vital role in political discourse and news dissemination in Nigeria. Many Nigerians rely on Facebook for updates on governance, elections, and public discussions. However, this also comes with challenges such as misinformation and political propaganda. A recent article discusses how Facebook remains a major news source despite the rise of competing platforms.

While some users appreciate Facebook as a platform for social activism and political discussions, concerns over misinformation have led others to explore alternative sources for news and engagement.

Challenges Facing Facebook in Nigeria

Despite its continued relevance, Facebook faces multiple challenges in Nigeria:

1. Younger Generations Shifting to Other Platforms
   • Nigerian Gen Z and younger millennials are increasingly moving to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other platforms that prioritize video content and real-time interactions.
2. Privacy and Data Security Concerns
   • Facebook has faced scrutiny worldwide regarding data privacy, leading to growing concerns about user security and information misuse.
3. Competition from Local and Global Platforms
   • With the rise of locally popular platforms and international competitors, Facebook must continue to innovate to retain Nigerian users.

Why Facebook Remains Relevant in Nigeria

Despite these challenges, Facebook still holds a strong position in Nigeria’s social media ecosystem for several reasons:

• Community Building: Facebook Groups remain a powerful tool for creating digital communities, whether for business networking, religious groups, or local support networks.
• Business and Advertising: Many Nigerian entrepreneurs still rely on Facebook Ads and Marketplace to grow their businesses.
• News and Information: Facebook remains an important platform for accessing news, discussions, and real-time updates.

The Future of Facebook in Nigeria

As digital habits evolve, Facebook will need to adapt to maintain its relevance in Nigeria. Key strategies for the platform’s future include:

• Incorporating More Video Features: Expanding Facebook Reels and live streaming to appeal to younger users.
• Stronger Misinformation Controls: Addressing concerns over fake news by improving content moderation and fact-checking features.
• Enhanced User Privacy Measures: Strengthening security policies to regain user trust and ensure safer interactions online.

Conclusion

While Facebook is no longer the undisputed king of social media in Nigeria, it remains a crucial platform for communication, business, and news consumption. Whether it will continue to thrive or decline depends on how well it adapts to changing user preferences and competition.

Do you still use Facebook in Nigeria? Share your thoughts on whether the platform is still valuable or if it’s time to move on to newer alternatives.