Anger swelled at the murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE), Sokoto, over alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad on Thursday, May 12.
Deborah, who resided with her parents in Old Airport Road area of Sokoto metropolis, was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW), during a hot argument with her colleagues in school was beaten and burnt to death by irate mob.
According to Twitter users, Deborah had shared a voice note on her class WhatsApp group in which she challenged her colleagues who were posting religious information there.
A Twitter user who did the translation quoted Deborah speaking in Hausa; “Holy Ghost Fire, nothing’s going to happen to me, you should know what to be sending to this group, it’s not that the group was created to be sending nonsense, the group was created for posting things like, test assignment e.t.c. not the nonsense you are posting, no be only prophet, you are coming to play on me.” The nonsense she referred to is the religious posts.”
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Her comments were said to have irked some of her colleagues who felt she disrespected Prophet Mohammed, and threatened to deal with her.
When the tension was high, the school authorities took her to the security room to give her some protection. However, the enraged students overpowered the security officers, dragged Deborah out, and beat her until she died before setting her corpse on fire.
Sokoto police spokesman Sanusi Abubakar, in a statement on Thursday evening May 12, confirmed that the killing of the student who was accused of making a social media post over blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad.
The statement read, “At about 0900hrs, a distress call was received from Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, stating that students were rioting over one female student named Deborah Samuel, a level two student, who was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building. The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.
“Upon receiving the information, the DC Operations led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders in the state to the school where the road was cleared and the situation was brought under control. Two students were arrested in connection with the crime committed. The school has been closed down by the school authority, and policemen were deployed to give tight security coverage.
“The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Kamaldeen Okunlola fdc,mnim, is appealing to members of the public to go about their lawful activities and should not panic as the situation is under control.
“Meanwhile, the suspects in the viral video on Twitter were spotted and will be nailed soon.”
Addressing newsmen at Government House in Sokoto, the Commissioner of Information, Isah Bajini Galadanchi, said the state government has ordered security agencies to investigate the incident to ascertain its remote causes.
“It has come to the notice of Sokoto State Government, the unfortunate incident that took place at the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto in which a student of the college, lost her life.
The Government has ordered the immediate closure of the College.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has directed the Ministry of Higher Education, and relevant Security agencies in the State to commence investigations into t e remote and immediate causes of the incident and report back to the Government.
Tambuwal, therefore, called on the people of the State to remain calm and maintain peace, as the Government would take appropriate actions on the findings of the investigations by the relevant authority.”
The Twitter is abuzz with comments by many people.
Woye wrote ”PDP Presidential Primaries delegates result: Winner: Atiku; Ist runner up: Wike; 2nd runner: Tambuwal; next is Saraki. The rest would be awarded ”Certificate of participation.”
But, Shehu Gazali tweeted ”If Tambuwal cannot secure Christians in Sokoto, then he cannot secure Nigeria. Delegates, don’t waste your vote on a bad product that no one will buy. Elect Peter Obi for a prosperous Nigeria.”
On the other hand, Aniel Regha said ”Jesus Christ gets disrespected a lot by non-Christians, but u don’t see the Christian community going up in arms or using violence to send a msg; Deborah’s execution in Sokoto by some Muslims is an act of barbarism. Gov. Tambuwal & the govt should bring her killers to justice.’’
From Port harcourt 2nd Son@Isidore0001, he penned ”In Tambuwal’s Sokoto they burn alleged blasphemers… No trial, no prosecution. Just Islamist inspired execution of an alleged Blasphemer Mr Tambuwal who cannot protect vulnerable in his enclave, can’t guaranteed safety of minorities elsewhere… This is the reality.’’
Thomas NOT Sankara @Polymat43955419 said ”Tomorrow these Monsters will become the Buharis, Pantami, Gumi, El Rufai, Sanusi & Tambuwals of today, demanding political political power & claiming one Nigeria, one people. Then folks like Emma Tcee, Demola & Reno will tell us why they are more relevant & important than us.’’
Yet, Roy Biakpara (Emir of Clan of Diasporans) @RBiakpara said ”Another Isa Pantami has been born in Sokoto today. This would’ve been avoided if stronger deterrents were there in the first place. But, they are ‘young’ & their indiscretions will be forgotten like many other have been over the years. #ImWalkingAway.’’
