Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese has spoken on the attack on churches by Islamic zealots protesting the arrest of the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel.
Recall that Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was stoned to death by fellow students and other hoodlums for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed.
The police later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the murder. The arrest has not gone down well with the religious fanatics who went on a rampage on Saturday to force the authorities to release the suspects.
During the protest on Saturday, groups of youths led by some adults in the background, attacked the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, destroying Church glass windows.
The mob also attacked Bishop Lawton Secretariat and vandalized a community bus parked within the premises, Kukah said.
“They were promptly dispersed by a team of Mobile Policemen before they could do further damage,” the statement added.
“The hoodlums also attacked the Bakhita Centre located along Aliyu Jodi road and burnt down a bus within the premises.”
He said his home was not attacked and he is safe.
He commended the security forces for promptly rising to the occasion to prevent further damage at the churches’ facilities, adding that no life was lost.
He however said all Masses in Sokoto metropolis had been suspended until the curfew imposed by the State Government was lifted.
The 24-hour curfew was imposed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, after protests rocked Sokoto city.
Kukah commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal for acting promptly by declaring the curfew.
The Bishop appealed to Christians to remain law-abiding and pray for the return of normalcy.
