Deborah’s murder: Police arrest two persons

At least two persons have been reportedly arrested in connection with the gruesome killing of a female Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.

NEWSFLASH NIGERIA has earlier reported that the female student, who was identified simply as Deborah Samuel had been burnt to death by her Muslim colleagues for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, May 12, 2022.

The deceased was accused of passing unflattering comments about Prophet Mohammed on campus.

Following immediate threats to her safety, she was immediately evacuated to the security post of the school, according to a student who witnessed the development.

But the mob pursued her to the security post and overpowered the personnel there.

A video of the incident circulated online showing how the student was set alight.

The management of the institution has issued a statement announcing the immediate closure of the school over the fracas that broke out following Ms Deborah’s murder.

The development has triggered angry reactions from Nigerians, who lamented how some human beings easily lose their conscience in the name of religion.

In a bid to bring the perpetrators to book, the State Police Command confirmed on Thursday evening that two persons have been arrested while others are still been trailed.

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The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, in a statement made available to newsmen in the state said:

“At about 0900hrs, a distress call was received from the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, stating that students were rioting over one female student named Deborah Samuel, a 200 level 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 statement partly read.

The statement further said the State Commissioner of Police, CP Kamaldeen Okunlola, is appealing to members of the public to go about their lawful activities and should not panic as the situation is under control.

He further assured that faces seen in the viral video of the incident would be followed and made to face the wrath of the law.

Reacting to the incident, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a press statement signed on his behalf by the secretary of the Sultanate Council, Sa’idu Muhammadu Maccido, condemned the killing in its totality.

The statement reads: “Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happenings at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, that led to the loss of life of a female student of the institution.

“The Sultanate Council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.”

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has since condemned the act.

The renowned Christian cleric called on authorities to investigate and ensure that all the culprits were brought to book.

According to a statement signed by Bishop Kukah and made available to our correspondent, “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 extant laws of our land.

“This has nothing to do with religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours here in Sokoto over the years.

“This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.”

Kukah, however, called on Christians in Sokoto and environs to remain calm and to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

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