The Sultanate Council in Sokoto and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, have condemned the killing of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
Ms Deborah Samuel, a level-two student, was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW), according to the police.
The police said the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.
Videos on social media show men stoning and flogging a motionless body draped in red attire.
Read also: Anger over murder of Sokoto student for alleged blasphemy
A footage also captured a raging fire as a man faced the camera, claiming that he killed and burnt her, and brandishing a matchbox.
“The Sultanate Council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice,” a statement signed by council secretary, Sa’idu Muhammadu Maccido, said.
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese-Mathew Kukah
“The Sultanate Council has urged all to remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among all people of the State and nation.”
Also, Kukah called for calm over the incident, saying it had nothing to do with religion.
The police said the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.
“I have just received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that occurred in the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, leading to the gruesome murder of Ms Deborah Yakubu, a 200 level Home Economics student today,” the venerated cleric said.
“We condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call on the authorities to investigate this tragedy and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book. The only obligation that is owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to our extant laws of the land.
”This has nothing to do with religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours here in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.
“Meanwhile, I wish to call on all Christians in Sokoto and around to remain calm and to please pray for the repose of the soul of Ms Deborah. It is the first obligation that we owe her. May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family,” he enjoined.
