Violent protests broke out on Saturday in Sokoto following the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education for alleged blasphemy.
The incident, which happened on the school’s campus on Thursday, May 12, has been widely condemned, at home and abroad, but the buildup of tension it created led to the Saturday riot.
Some Muslim youths carrying placards began a protest in Sokoto, Saturday morning and demanded the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto.
Consequently, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, despising to the public disorderliness has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the people of the North-West state.
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Governor Tambuwal in a statement said; “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe these measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”
Deborah, a Christian lady, was, on Thursday, mauled and burnt to death on the school premises in the most barbaric manner and her killers posted videos of the act on social media, for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The police in Sokoto had confirmed the killing of Deborah by her Muslim colleagues on campus and the Muslim youths had protested on Saturday, clashing with security operatives who fired shots to disperse the surging demonstrators.
