Youths on rampage vandalise properties in Sokoto as they demand release of suspected killers of student
Cars vandalised, churches attacked
A sea of young adults are on rampage in Sokoto as they protest the arrest and detention of suspects in the murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student stoned to death by some of her mates at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
The youths gathered at the city gate, which leads to the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, early in the morning, demanding the release of the students arrested in connection with Deborah’s murder.
It appeared peaceful until more youths joined and it became more riotous. Some of the youths are seen in video clips hurling missiles at a church building, damaging the glass windows.
A clip shows some youths attacking a person who was on the ground, but other members of the group can be seen cautioning them to leave the person alone. Some rushed to protect the person. No information is known about the identity of the attacked person.
In another clip, a number of parked cars were shown with bashed bodies, broken windshields and windows.
Yet another clip shows billows of smoke with someone commenting that the rampaging youths had succeeded in torching a church. This could however not be independently confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Recall that on Thursday morning, some students of the college reacted to a voice note reportedly shared by Ms Samuel on her class WhatsApp group.
The voice note, which was rendered in Hausa Language, was interpreted to mean an attack on the Prophet of Islam, Muhammed.
Members of the school authorities and the school security operatives attempted to rescue the deceased but the irate students burnt down the security facility where the late student was being kept.
Two students are believed to be in custody of the police at this time.
The state police command spokesperson, Sanusi Abubakar, said other suspects caught in the viral video on Twitter “will soon be nailed too.”
The protesters blocked motorists going in or out of the Kanwuri area, leading to the Sultan’s palace while others took over the road leading to the government house.
They hold placards with various inscriptions including: “Please, release our friends”, “Release and free our brothers, we’re Muslim not terrorists”, “Muslim is not a terrorist” (sic), among others.
A clip of the protest shows mammoth youths on the road, throwing missiles at the police who shot tear gas into their midst.
Some were said to have thrown stones into the palace of the Sultan, calling him a hypocrite.
They were prevented from gaining access to the palace by a team of policemen and civil defence officers.
See some clips below.
The Army/Police Can Shoot & Kill Innocent Protesters In The South. But They’re Doing Nothing To These Islam Extremists (Deborah Killers) Who Burnt a Catholic Church, Hunting Down Christians & Even Igbos In Sokoto. Yet, The South Continue To Support ‘One Nigeria’. Very Shameful!!! pic.twitter.com/wN4BsWHZz5
— Somto Okonkwo 𓃵 (@General_Somto) May 14, 2022
The killings of Christians in sokoto has started !!! A Catholic Church is currently on fire. pic.twitter.com/yNaOSHKUoh
— Mazi-Ógbujï #Flagboiy!!!🇳🇬 (@favogbuji) May 14, 2022
