Alleged Blasphemy: Kukah Speaks On Murder Of Sokoto College Student

The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has expressed outrage over the killing of Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education over alleged blasphemy.

Naija News had reported that some students of the institution, on Thursday, had lynched the female student over an allegation of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The deceased was beaten to death and later burnt by the Muslim students of the college.

The college authorities immediately announced the closure of the school and ordered students to vacate the campus.

Hours later, the police in the state announced the arrest of two of the suspects involved in the killing.

Reacting to the development, Kukah condemned the gruesome killing of the female student, adding that the evil act had nothing to do with religion.

In a statement issued in Sokoto on Thursday, Kukah said Muslims and Christians had lived together peacefully for a long time.

The cleric said the gruesome killing of Samuel should be treated as a criminal act, adding that the culprits must be brought to justice.

“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.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar, has also condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah.

The Sultan in his reaction on Thursday after the unfortunate incident happened called for a peaceful existence among all Nigerians.

He also charged security operatives to go after the perpetrators and ensure justice is done.

The Sultan’s reaction was conveyed in a statement by the secretary of the sultanate council, Sa’idu Maccido as the traditional ruler urged everyone to “remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among all people of the state and nation”.