…As Nigerians demand justice from Buhari, Tambuwal, Security agencies
…Police arrests two suspects over killing
…Kukah, Sultan, Tambuwal condemn killing
Outrage as a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, known as Deborah Samuel has been beaten, burnt to death by rioters over alleged blasphemous comment.
A viral video of the unfortunate incident seen by Newssphere correspondent revealed that of one alleged killers of Deborah was seen bragging in Hausa Language, “I killed her, I burnt her. You can see the matchebox I used in setting her ablaze here”, while his co-lynchers continue their act on Deborah’s lifeless body.
It was said that somebody posted a religious thing on the platform and while criticising his action, Deborah allegedly made a blasphemous statement against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
This have sparked loads of reactions from many Nigerians urging President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, security agencies to waste no time in arresting, persecuting perpetrators.
Meanwhile, in response to the incident, the Police Command in Sokoto, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said a distress call on the incident was received by the police around 9.00 a.m.
“We received that students were rioting over one female student, named Deborah Samuel, a level two 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,” he said.
Abubakar added that upon receiving the information, the police-led team and all other operational commanders in the state moved into the school and brought the situation under control.
“Two students were arrested in connection with the crime. The school has been closed down by the school authority, and policemen deployed to give tight security coverage,” he said.
He assured that all the suspects in the viral video on Twitter would be nailed by the Command as soon as possible.
Recall that in July 9, 2016, Pastor Eunice Elisha was killed for preaching Christ in Kubwa, FCT.
In the same year, Bridget Agbahime was beheaded in Kano over blasphemy.
Earlier the Sokoto State government responded by ordering the immediate closure of the college.
The Commissioner for Information, Isa Bajini Galadanchi, at a press conference held at the government house, ordered the immediate closure of the college.
Galadanchi said Governor Aminu Tambuwal had directed the state’s Ministry of Higher Education and relevant security agencies to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has condemned the killing of the female student.
The monarch, in a statement by the secretary of the Sultanate Council, called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
He urged all to remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among the people of the state and the nation.
He urged all to remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among the people of the state and the nation.
Also, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, who condemned the killing.
In a statement issued in Sokoto, Kukah said Muslims and Christians had lived together peacefully for a long time.
He described those behind the barbaric act as criminals.
“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,” he said.
Similarly, Newssphere collated some of the reactions of Nigerians, groups on Social Media below:
Reno Omokri: “The highest ranking Christian in this regime, is Pastor Osinbajo. Sadly, he will NOT say anything about Deborah, in order not to hurt his Presidential run. If the reverse was the case, Muslims running for President would love themselves enough to speak for their own”.
SERAP: The Buhari administration should publicly condemn the brutal murder of Deborah, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto over alleged blasphemy, and promptly identify and bring to justice those responsible for this grave rights abuse.
Mark Amaza: The list keeps growing:
Gideon Akaluka, Christiana Oluwatosin Oluwasesin, Florence Chukwu, Abdallahi Umar
Methodus Chiamajie, Eunice Elisha Olawale
Bridget Agbahime, And now, Deborah in Sokoto (last name still not known).
All murdered because ‘they blasphemed’.
Kayode Ogudamisi:
He has a face, so should be easy to identify having admitted on video, claiming to have set Deborah on fire in Sokoto.
I’m trusting @SpeakerTambuwal and @PoliceNG to announce his arrest and that of other accomplices in a matter of days for prosecution.
No excuses.
Mr Macaroni:
According to multiple reports, Deborah a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, accused of Blasphemy was killed and burnt. This is what happens when there are no consequences for actions in the society. The government must wake up from their slumber!!
Somto Onuchukwu: We saw them killing her, there’s no further investigation needed. Murder must be judged as murder, that is the only way to save Nigeria. Justice! Justice for Deborah.