Tambuwal Declares Curfew In Sokoto Over Violent Protest For Release Of Deborah’s Killers

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state following the killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian female student at Shehu Shagari College of Education.

Deborah Samuel Sokoto

KanyiDaily had reported how Deborah was beaten and burnt to death by her Muslim colleagues over alleged blasphemous remarks considered to be an insult to Prophet Mohammed.

In a WhatsApp chat, Deborah was head lamenting in Hausa language to a religious broadcast message sent by another student to her class WhatsApp group.

In a loose translation, she said: “This group was not created for you to be sending nonsense. It is for past questions, update about test or other school matters. Not the nonsense that you are posting about some prophet.”

Her comments were said to have irked some of her Muslim colleagues who felt she disrespected Prophet Mohammed, and threatened to deal with her.

Sources said the angry mob attacked her and then set her body ablaze after overpowering the school security personnel who tried to intervene in the matter.

A gory image and video clip of the incident sparked outrage on social media with many Nigerians calling on authorities to immediately bring the killers to book.

The police had announced the arrest of two persons in connection with the killing of Deborah Samuel, noting that investigations going on to arrest more killers.

Protesting Youths Demand Release Of Deborah’s Killers

On Saturday morning, some Muslim youths in Sokoto took to the streets in their numbers to protest against the arrest of the suspects.

The protesters were armed with placards that read: “Release our Muslim brothers”, “Muslims Are Not Terrorists”, “Peaceful riot”, among others.

Sources said the protest started at the roundabout of Zabira mall and they marched through Gao-nama onwards flyover within the state metropolis.

It was gathered that armed policemen fired teargas canisters to disperse the angry crowd, during which two persons were reportedly injured.

A combined team of security operatives including soldiers from the 8 Division, Police, DSS, and NSCDC were also deployed in strategic positions to avert breakdown of law and order.

Tambuwal Declares Curfew In Sokoto

Speaking at the Government House in Sokoto, Tambuwal declared a 24-hour curfew within the metropolis in a bid to prevent a curtail further spread of civil unrest.

According to the governor, the curfew has become necessary as the only option left for the government to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state.

“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 this (these) measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state,” Tambuwal said.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had also condemned Deborah Samuel’s killing, demanding an impartial extensive probe into all that happened before and during the incident.