“We didn’t say suspected killer of Deborah Samuel is from Niger Republic- Sokoto Police Command

The Sokoto State Police Command has debunked a report claiming that it categorized one of the suspects in the murder of Deborah Samuel a student of Shagari College of Education, as a foreigner from Niger Republic who came in illegally to perpetrate the act.

Recall that Deborah Samuel, a level-two student was killed by a mob over remarks considered to be an insult to Prophet Mohammed.

Over the weekend, an online medium (not MSN) carried a report that some officials of the Sokoto Police command said one of the suspects who boasted on camera that he set the hapless girl on fire was from Niger Republic and had fled there.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, described the publication as mischievous and aimed at undermining the effort of the command.

In the statement titled: Rejoinder on mischievous publication aimed at undermining the effort of Sokoto State Police Command, the State Commissioner of Police, Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola, appealed to members of the public not to instigate unverified stories.

“The attention of Sokoto State Command was drawn to an online publication in NEWSLEAK by one Segun Adegbite on 14th may, 2022.  He alleged that, a top police source told peoples Gazette that, Sokoto Police Command has categorized one of the suspects during the incident at Shagari College of Education as a foreign intruder from Niger Republic (who) came in illegally to perpetrate the act,” the statement read.

“The Command is therefore using this medium to reaffirm that, the above fabricated publication which claimed its sources from the Command is falsehood and cannot be substantiated.

“The command did not issue out any statement or signed press release in that regard. The above publication is an act by some (mischief-makers) trying to create chaos in the mind of law-abiding citizens and to destabilize the existing peaceful atmosphere restored as a result of the Thursday incident.

“The command is using this medium to appeal to all media outlets and members of the public to be advocates of peace and should not instigate unverified stories.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, investigation into the incident is ongoing and the Nigeria Police Force will be decisive in its action and in accordance with the extant laws and provisions of the constitution on that incident.

“The Commissioner of Police Sokoto State Command, CP Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola fdc, mnim enjoins the people of Sokoto State to embrace compliance with the curfew emplaced by the state government to maintain peace and order in the state.”