Sokoto riots: ‘My residence was not torched’ – Bishop Kukah, as remains of slain student buried in Niger

Amid claims that the residence of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, came under attack by rioters protesting the arrest of some alleged perpetrators of the mob killing of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOED), Thursday, the cleric, on Saturday, has denied such reports.

The riots which broke out in parts of Sokoto, early Saturday, forced Governor, Aminu Tambuwal to declare a 24-hour curfew in the state to restore peace.

The rioters, comprising Muslim youths, said to be protesting the arrest of some persons by the police alleged to have played a part in the Thursday morning mob attack, killing and subsequent lynching of 25-year-old Miss Deborah Samuel Yakubu over alleged blasphemy committed by the 200-level student of Economics at the college.

Worship centres belonging to both the Catholic and ECWA churches were reportedly damaged in the mayhem. Also, the St Bahkita, which serves as the secretariat of the Sokoto Catholic diocese, was set alight by the hoodlums.

Reacting, Kukah said his residence was not torched by the rioters.

“No, they did not burn my residence,” Rev. Kukah confirmed.

State Governor Aminu Tambuwal had, early Saturday, imposed a curfew over Sokoto to curb further spread of violence amid a mob rampage for the release of Deborah Samuel’s murder suspects.

The governor said the directive was issued “in pursuance of peace and order in Sokoto metropolis and the entire state.”

“Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.

“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto State to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.

“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this (these) measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state,” the governor’s statement read.

The governor added that it is not in the interest of anyone to have a breakdown of law and order. “I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”

It would be recalled that the Sokoto Police Command, Thursday, confirmed arrest of two persons in connection with the mob killing at the school.

Meanwhile, remains of the slain Miss Deborah were, Saturday, laid to rest at her hometown in Tungan Magajiya in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

Deborah was stoned to death and burnt on Thursday by her fellow students for allegedly making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group.

The deceased, it was gathered, had been living with family members in Sokoto since she was in primary school before her death.

It was learnt that while the body of Deborah was being transported home for burial, an official of the Sokoto State Government allegedly called that the body be returned back as it belongs to the government.

The government had asked the family to deposit the deceased in the mortuary until burial arrangements are concluded.

However, the parents disagreed with the government’s position, while insisting that their daughter’s body would be buried today.

Reacting, the Pastor of the family in charge of 1st ECWA in Tunga Magajiya, Pastor Emmanuel Maaji explained that the family is insisting that their daughter be buried today (Saturday) as against the state government’s position to wait until it completes its own arrangement.

According to him, the parents are not happy with the way and matter the government is handling the issue.

The late Deborah is survived, among others, by her grief-stricken father and a mother who is said to be still unconscious, having fallen into shock from the news of the killing of her daughter.