Police Update on Deborah Samuel’s Lynching in Sokoto Sparks Outrage on Social Media

Nigerians express anger and frustration with the police update on the suspects who killed Deborah Samuel in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy

Ilesanmi AdekanbiMay 18, 2023

4 minutes read

The Nigeria Police Force has given an update on the status of the suspects who killed Deborah Samuel, a Christian student, in Sokoto State last year. Deborah Samuel was lynched and burnt to death by a mob of Muslim students at the Shehu Shagari College of Education for allegedly blaspheming against Prophet Muhammad.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said on Twitter that two suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, who are also students of the college, were arrested and arraigned on 16th May 2022 at the Magistrate Court Gwiwa, Sokoto State.

He said the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered him to take action against the perpetrators after sending him the video of the incident. He said the video went viral on social media and sparked outrage among Nigerians.

He also said the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, had detained the suspects without waiting for any order from the IGP. He said the CP was a thoroughbred officer who knew what to do in such situations.

“We don’t waste time when our men misbehave,” Adejobi said.

He added that the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Abubakar, would soon make their photos available to the public to confirm that they had been detained. He said the police command would not tolerate any act of brutality or misconduct by its personnel.

He also said that the police command was investigating the circumstances that led to the incident and would ensure that justice was done. He appealed to the public to remain calm and trust the police to handle the matter professionally.

The incident was one of the many cases of religious violence and intolerance in Nigeria. Nigeria is a country with a diverse population of Muslims and Christians. Twelve states in northern Nigeria have adopted Sharia law as part of their legal system. Blasphemy is considered a serious offense under Sharia law and can attract severe punishments, including death.

However, some people have taken the law into their own hands and resorted to mob justice whenever they suspect someone of blasphemy. They have often attacked and killed people without any due process or evidence.

In September 2022, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Kazeem Abonde, was killed by some Okada riders in Ajao Estate after he led a team to enforce restrictions on their operations. The Okada riders attacked him with stones and cudgels and shot him with his service pistol.

In October 2022, some Okada riders also clashed with officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences at Mile 2-Second Rainbow axis. They set ablaze some vehicles belonging to the task force and injured some of its personnel.

The Lagos State Government has been trying to regulate the activities of Okada riders in the state to ensure safety and security. The government has banned Okada riders from operating on some major roads and bridges in the state and restricted their hours of operation.

However, some Okada riders have defied these rules and continued to operate illegally. They have also resisted attempts by the police and other agencies to enforce compliance. They have often resorted to violence and vandalism whenever they are confronted by law enforcement agents.

The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to deal decisively with any Okada rider who engages in criminal acts or attacks its officers. The command has also urged Okada riders to abide by the laws and regulations governing their operations in the state.

The police update on Deborah Samuel’s killers did not seem to satisfy many Nigerians on social media. Some of them took to Twitter to express their anger and frustration with the police. They accused the police of being unprofessional, irresponsible and unaccountable. They also doubted the authenticity and validity of the update. Here are some of the reactions:

@iammykedon: “Sir, I don’t think it’s bad if you put some pictures of them being arrested online for people to see… they killed that girl while they recording !!people are angry and we need proof for everything.”

@KINGSEUSTACE: “And charged for? Were they charged for murder? Imagine charging Femi Kuti for “quarrelling in public”, if there is any offence like that.”

@GeorgeAnyiam: “Just 2 people from that video we saw?”

@thezenmonsta: “The magistrate court has no jurisdiction for capital offences. You are just buying time, we all know you are not going to prosecute.”

@AkejuOlusegun1: “Arraigned them at magistrate court for murder for offence of that class? If you use magistrate hold them in custody, when will the matter be properly taken to High court that has jurisdiction? 16,05,22 is a year already. Can u see u have just shown nothing is actually being done.”

@mr_shi2: “I’m not even trolling or trying to be funny. So it’s been a year & the only update is that they were arrested last year? Why should people believe in the justice system? That girl was murdered & proving it in court shouldn’t be difficult.”

@ChidiNdumnego: “If you’re not charging them with culpable homicide punishable with death, you’re not serious; if you are, you’re not serious because you very well know that the Magistrate Court lacks jurisdiction to try that offence. When will our police be responsible and professional?!”

@proterapy: “They were arrested and arraigned since last year and the public is just being notified 1 year after. Don’t be surprise they were sentenced to 6 months and are probably done serving.”

@Gospel_rx: “This is not an update, there is nothing to back this so-called update. For all I care, its just a tarse message to calm those who are calling you out on this matter. Why have there been radio silence on this matter since it happened? Last time, police said suspects were at large.”

These reactions show how Nigerians feel about the police update and the state of justice in the country. They also show how Nigerians use social media to voice their opinions and demand accountability from the authorities.