.Tambuwal shuts down school
.Bring perpetrators to book, Kukah, Sultan task Police
.Police nab two suspects, declare manhunt for others
A female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, has been beaten and burnt to death by a mob for alleged blasphemy. The horrific incident occurred on Thursday, May 12, when the lady, who is claimed to be a Christian, allegedly abused Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Ms Deborah, who was only identified as the deceased, was accused of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed on campus. According to a student who witnessed the incident and provided preliminary details , she was immediately evacuated to the school’s security post after immediate threats to her safety. However, the mob pursued her to the security post, where they overpowered the guards.
In a swift reaction , the Sokoto State Government on Thursday confirmed the death of a student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto, and ordered the closure of the institution indefinitely.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the student unrest was caused by an alleged blasphemy made by the deceased student against Islamic religion through a social media group.
The students, in mob outrage, traced the female student and killed her as well as burnt the corpse at the school security gate after overpowering the school securities.
Addressing a news conference, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isa Bajini-Galadunci, confirmed the student’s death and said the state government had ordered immediate closure of the school.
Bajini-Galadunci said Gov. Aminu Tambuwal had directed the Ministry of Higher Education and other relevant agencies to commence investigation into the incident and report back to the state government.
The Commissioner said Tambuwal urged citizens to remain calm and law abiding, assuring them that appropriate action would be taken after the investigation.
NAN reports that combined security operatives were deployed to the college as students were seen evacuating the campus.
Also, The Sokoto Sultanate Council and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto have condemned the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto State.
The student, who was identified simply as Deborah Samuel, was lynched by some male Muslim students and set on fire, for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed.
The development has triggered angry reactions from Nigerians, who lamented how some human beings easily lose their conscience in the name of religion.
The school management has since shut down academic activities in the institution till further notice.
Reacting, the Sultanate Council in a statement issued by its secretary, Sa’idu Mohammadu Maccido, called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The council called on members of the public to remain calm and live peacefully with one another.
The statement reads, “The Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happening at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, SSCOE Sokoto that led to the loss of life of a female student of the institution.
“The Sultanate Council condemns the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.
“The Sultanate Council has urged all to remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among all people of the state and nation.”
Meanwhile, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has expressed sadness over the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto State.
It was earlier reported that the student who was identified as Deborah Yakubu was lynched by some male Muslim students for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed in a WhatsApp platform.
The unfortunate incident has continued to generate reactions from concerned Nigerians who are demanding justice for the 200-level student.
Bishop Kukah in a statement he personally signed, called on relevant authorities to fish out the perpetrators without delay.
According to him, those who carried out the attack must be punished according to the law of the country, saying the matter must be treated as a criminal case.
He said, “I have received with deep shock the incident that occured in the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto State leading to the gruesome murder of Miss Deborah Samuel, a 200 level home economics student today.
“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 authority is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to the law of the land.
“Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause,” the statement.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police authorities have confirmed the arrest of suspects in the brutal killing of a year two female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education over allegation of blasphemy.
A statement by ASP Sanusi Abubakar, Police Public Relations Officer, for Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State, which confirmed the arrest of the suspects also said that the Police was on the trail of other suspects in the viral video on Twitter who were spotted.
Full text of the statement reads: “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 Kola 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”.
