Alleged blasphemy: Bishop Kukah condemns gruesome murder of female student in Sokoto

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has condemned the killing of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

Deborah Samuel was burnt to death after she was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW), on a WhatsApp platform.

In a statement on Friday, May 12, Bishop Kukah, called for calm over the incident, saying it had nothing to do with religion.

“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.”