Alleged blasphemy: Bishop Kukah condemns killing of female student in Sokoto; calls for calm

Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has reacted to the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

The Bishop condemned the killing in a statement on Thursday, May 12, calling for calm over the incident while stating that it had nothing to do with religion.

Deborah Samuel was burnt to death after she was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW), during an heated argument with fellow students.

“I have just received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that 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,” the Bishop stated.

“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 our extant laws of the 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

“Meanwhile, I wish to call on all Christians in Sokoto and around to remain calm and to please pray for the repose of the soul of Ms Deborah. It is the first obligation that we owe her. May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family.”