The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged Christians to remain calm following the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, over alleged blasphemy.
He also urged them to pray for the late student Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level Home Economics Student of the institution, saying “it is the first obligation we owe her.”
Ms Deborah was beaten to coma and then burnt alive on Thursday morning in the school..
Bishop Kukah in a statement he issued in Sokoto, said adherent of Islam and Christianity in the state live peacefully with themselves for a long time, describing those behind the barbaric act as criminals.
“I have received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that has occurred in the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, leading to the gruesome murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu, a 200 level Home Economics Student today.
“We condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call on the authorities to investigate this tragedy and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book. The only obligation that is owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to the extant laws of our land.
“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, Sokoto State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspects over the killing.
