The Zamfara State Commissioner for Religious Affairs who is also the Chief Imam of the Muslims Foundation mosque, Sheikh Sani Tukur Jangebe has condemned the lynching and gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel of the Sokoto State College of Education.

The Islamic cleric advised Muslims to abide by the teachings and lessons of Islam, saying even the prophet Mohammed, underwent several insults and humiliations but did not order the killing of his adversaries.

He said it is a very great sin for any Muslim to take such laws into his or her hands, saying that Allah did not ordain such Islamic injunction.

While delivering his Friday sermon, the Muslim cleric asked the faithful to always obey the injunctions of the Islamic teachings so that Allah would divinely intervene in the current security challenges being faced by the State.

There was pandemonium in some parts of Sokoto State on Saturday as some residents, believed to be Muslims, stormed the streets protesting the arrest of the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel, who was lynched on Thursday for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed.

According to SaharaReporters, the protesters attacked some churches along Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital, while demanding the release of the suspects.

A Catholic church and a building of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, were reportedly destroyed by the protesters.

Some shops belonging to indigenes of the southeast who reside in the area were also destroyed during the incident.

Efforts to reach the Sokoto State Police Command failed as the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi did not take calls and repeatedly shunned text messages forwarded to him.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has imposed a 24-hour curfew to curtail the riot.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has tasked the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to treat as terrorists sympathisers, the riotous youths in the streets of Sokoto State protesting for the release of killers of Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

HURIWA warned that any attempt to free the suspects will send the signal that Sokoto and the President Muhammadu Buhari administration are also sympathetic to terrorists.

HURIWA reminded the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government that sympathisers of terrorists are committing egregious offence against the Nigerian State and must be appropriately handled in compliance with the counter terrorism law.

HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: ” Can these protesters seriously have a rethink that if their sister was the victim, Deborah Emmanuel, a 200 level female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, that was mobbed and killed before her remains were set ablaze within the school premises on Thursday, will they be ready to pour out on the streets in solidarity with these primitive killers who took the law into their hands and behaved just like terrorists that they are to take the life of a citizen in a Country in which section 33(1) of the Grund Norm emphatically prohibits EXTRALEGAL EXECUTION OF ACCUSED PERSONS?

“What those killers of Deborah did is pure and simple terrorism and mobster murder and must never be swept under the carpets if we are prepared to remain together in one Country. The security agents must treat the protesters demanding that murderers be freed as sympathisers of terrorists and what they are doing is not captured under the fundamental human rights provision that permits for freedom of expression because freedom of expression does not permit aiding and abetting terrorist crime of broad day lynching of a young girl to death over alleged blasphemy that is unproven and untested in Court.

“In fact the protesters are enemies of free speech because they want murderers who killed a girl for expressing her belief in Christ Jesus captured under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Chapter 4 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as specified under the RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION. Deborah from all available evidence did not blasphem the religion of Islam and the laws of Nigeria regards lynching the type these Sokoto mobsters committed and recorded in videos circulating on the social media as TERRORISM”.

HURIWA said it thinks the Sokoto State governor has done well by declaring 24 hours curfew but “we must warn that those who killed Deborah Samuel Yakubu must be made to face the full wrath of the law as murderers and on no account should the unruly mobs of protesters be allowed to free the suspected killers that publicly confessed in recorded videos going viral that they killed Deborah Samuel Yakubu. The Governor of Sokoto State and the Armed Forces of Nigeria must not be overwhelmed by the antics of the sympathisers of terrorists in Sokoto. Enough is enough!”

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has declared 24-hour curfew in the state following massive protest for the release of arrested suspects in the murder of Deborah Samuel on Thursday.

Muslim extremists at the Shehu Shagari College of Education burnt Deborah to death over alleged blasphemy against Muhammed on Thursday at the school premises.

Following the killing, policemen arrested some suspects in connection with the killing of the Christian student.

On Saturday morning, massive protests rocked Sokoto as thousands of protesters demanded the release of the killers of Deborah, as the metropolis was grounded.

However, Tambuwal, in a statement slammed Sokoto metropolis and others with 24-hour curfew to restore 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,” he said.

He appealed to the people of Sokoto State to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down the restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.

“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.

“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law,” Tambuwal said.

The Sultan of Sokoto’s Palace was on Saturday under siege by the youth demanding the release of the alleged killers of Deborah Samuel.

The student, Deborah Yakubu, was killed in a mob outrage, with the state government immediately closing down the school while police announced the arrest of two persons in connection with the incident.

The protests were caused by an alleged religious blasphemy made by Deborah, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, against the Islamic religion through a social media channel.

A combined team of security men, led by State Police Commissioner, Mr Kamaludden Okunlola, was deployed to the palace while protesters threw stones and attempted to burn the palace.

All the religious centres were also under tight security.

Meanwhile, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Saturday imposed 24 hours curfew to contain the rising protests across township streets over alleged religious blasphemy.

Tambuwal, in a broadcast, called on the people to remain indoors as security operatives were being deployed to safeguard lives and properties.

”By the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sections 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 for the next 24 hours,” Tambuwal declared.

He further appealed to the people of the state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down the restiveness currently pervading the metropolis.

”Everyone should please, in the interest of peace, go back home and observe these measures, to reestablish peace, law and order in the state.

”It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law,” he said.

Groups of youths have taken over the streets, chanting songs and urging security agents to release the arrested persons.

The protesters burnt tyres on popular Ahmadu Bello Way, Emir Yahaya road, Kanwuri and other streets, forcing shop owners to close midday while most streets became empty.

Following the recent killing of Deborah Samuel by some Muslim youths in Sokoto State, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has called on Governor Aminu Tambuwal to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law according to Daily Post.

ECWA also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Inspector General of Police and all other relevant security agencies to ensure that all the perpetrators of the dastardly act are “not only fished out but that they are brought to justice according to law”.

The church disclosed this through its President, Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Panya said, “It is with great shock that I received the sad news of the gruesome, heartless and callous murder of yet another young, promising Nigerian girl of the Christian faith, Miss Deborah Yakubu who, until her untimely death on May 12, 2022, was a 200 level Home Economics Student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.”

Few days ago, Deborah was reportedly murdered in cold blood at the Shehu Shagari College of Education by a group of Muslim students over alleged blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

According to him, “While it is possible and most times, primitively convenient to advance reasons to justify acts of bestiality by just anyone at any time, it must be stressed that bestiality ought not to have any space in any society where decency, decorum and accommodation for diversity reign supreme; and where the rule of law prevails.

“While our faith in this country is still very strong because we know that there are laws that ought to govern the conduct of all citizens like it is in every civilized clime, we are at a loss which provision under our nation’s jurisprudence permits the brutal, senseless and shameful killing and setting ablaze of a fellow Nigerian by any misguided group, under whatever pretext with no one held accountable.

Adding that “The least that Nigerians of all persuasions demand of the Nigerian government at all levels, if its legitimacy must not be put to jeopardy, is the guarantee of security to life and property and the dispensation of justice, equity and fair play to all regardless of religious, ethnic, social or political affiliation.

“The brutal killing and burning of Deborah by some misguided Muslim students is nothing short of overt criminality which we at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) roundly condemn.

“We, therefore, call on the Sokoto State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Aminu Tambuwal to be deliberate in ensuring that no step is left to ensure that justice is not only seen to be done but that it is indeed done.

“We also call on Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Inspector General of Police and all relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all the perpetrators of this dastardly and despicable act are not only fished out but that they are brought to justice according to law.

“Deborah may just be one young girl whose precious life and ambition have been cruelly cut short, the entire world is watching, waiting and crying out for justice here on earth; otherwise, in heaven.

“In this midnight hour of our nation, at this very trying and agonizing moment, our hearts go to the parents, siblings and entire family of Miss Deborah and all that are grieving her death, we encourage you to take solace in the fact that no matter how it may look, Deborah’s martyrdom shall never be in vain.”

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 general election, Bala Mohammed, has lamented the spate of insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.

Mohammed who is the governor of Bauchi State also condemned the constant borrowings by the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), since he took over the leadership of the country in 2015.

The governor decried the situation of the country while speaking with Nasarawa State PDP delegates in Lafia on Tuesday to seek their support for his presidential ambition.

He said, “Insecurity and poverty are everywhere and nobody cares. We are taking loans every day. Our federal, state and local governments may soon collapse because the money that we are generating from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is being used to service depts.

“The road from Abuja to Kano is costing N750 billion. That is over-bloated by the corrupt regime of this administration. These monies can construct all the roads in Northern Nigeria.”

The PDP presidential aspirant said he had great leadership skills to reposition the country if elected into office in 2023 but emphasised that he would obey the party’s decision if the position is zoned to a particular part of the country.

“I am running for President in 2023 because I have so much knowledge of the economy and how to tackle insecurity. I am ready to lead Nigeria to greatness and I know that I have the pedigree, antecedents, and experience to make our country great.

“Some of these ideas are what I have been using to build peace in Bauchi State. That is why we do not have any problems there.

“If I am elected as President in 2023, apart from other great innovations that I will implement to improve our economy, I will redefine our security architecture and ensure that we have a good recruitment process where every portion of the country will be well represented so that our teeming youths will have equal opportunities to get government jobs.

“But if our great party, the PDP says it is zoning the Presidency to a particular place or person through consensus, I will accept. However, I appeal that we should create a level playing field for everybody. What we need is unity, love, justice and equity”, Mohammed said.

Chairman of PDP in the state, Francis Orogu, who spoke on behalf of the delegates, said they were yet to adopt an aspirant they would vote for in the forthcoming presidential primary election but assured that they would support an aspirant who would develop all sectors of the country when elected into office.