Violence erupted on Saturday morning in Sokoto metropolis as rampaging mob demanded the release of the two suspects arrested over Thursday’s killing of a student, Deborah Samuel by her colleagues at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
In a swift reaction, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Sokoto Metropolis to stop the ongoing violence and mob action.
Irate students had on Thursday morning accused Deborah of alleged blasphemy, lynched her and set her body ablaze.
The gory incident had sparked outrage and condemnation across the country, with Nigerians demanding the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime.
The police in Sokoto later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with Deborah’s killing.
But on Saturday morning, some irate Muslim youths stormed the streets of Sokoto to protest and demand the release of the arrested suspects.
The mob were said to have attacked a prominent religious centre in Sokoto metropolis, vandalising the property.
Recall that Tambuwal had met with Muslim leaders in the state to deliberate on how to ensure the student’s murder does not spark violent reprisals.
But the protesting youths on Saturday insisted that the police must release the arrested suspects.
The protesters said to be armed with various dangerous weapons also carried placards with inscriptions such as “Release our Muslim brothers”, “Muslims Are Not Terrorists”, “Peaceful riot”.
Governor Tambuwal while announcing the imposition of the curfew said, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, on Thursday and sequel to development within the metropolis this morning, by the powers of section 176(2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also section 15 of Sokoto state peace preservation law, I hereby declare, within the Sokoto metropolis, for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the citizens of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order.”
The school has since been closed down to give room for the investigation of the incident.
