• Says there are set processes to redress wrongs
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned the brutal killing of Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, saying he felt distressed by her gruesome murder.
Samuel, a second-year student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, was killed on Thursday following an allegation that she had blasphemed Muhammad (SAW), the prophet of Islam.
Vice President Osinbajo, speaking on the development at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, on Friday, commended the Sultan of Sokoto, the State Governor and other leaders in the state for condemning the dastardly act, saying the perpetrators be brought to justice.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also condemned the killing.
ALSO READ: Sokoto: Buhari condemns murder of Deborah Samuel over alleged blasphemy
Vice President Osinbajo had been accosted him at Abuja airport on his way back from Akwa Ibom State, where he had gone to meet with delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), asking: “What is your reaction to the killing of the College of Education student, Deborah Samuel in Sokoto yesterday?”
Responding, the Vice President who
agreed with the President’s position in his earlier response to the situation, said: “The President has reacted to this, a statement which was issued earlier condemning the action. I must say that it is a deeply distressing thing, very disturbing, such an atrocious killing of the young lady by a mob who took the law into their own hands. I think it is very unfortunate.
Prof Osinbajo lauded the state government and the Sultanate for their immediate action on the matter, saying: “The swift reaction of the Sokoto State Government and also the Sultan of Sokoto is highly commendable.
“I think that their swift reaction to the situation clearly demonstrated the outrage of millions of Nigerians and also demonstrated the desire of everyone to ensure that the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and prosecuted.”
Continuing, the Vice President said: “As the President said, there is really no excuse for anyone to take the law into their own hands no matter the provocation, there are set processes for ensuring that we are able to redress whatever wrongs that are done against us.
“We must express our condolence to the family of the young lady Deborah Samuel. I can’t imagine how her parents and siblings and members of her family feel, not just about her death, but the very horrendous nature of its occurrence.
“I think it is very sad indeed, and we extend our sincere condolences to them. We ask that the Almighty will comfort them at this time.”
