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Sokoto mob burns Christian student alive for allegedly criticising Prophet Mohammed

The deceased, identified only as Ms Deborah, was accused of passing unflattering comments about Prophet Mohammed on campus.

• May 12, 2022
The body of Ms Deborah, Christian slain at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Wamako.
The body of Ms Deborah, Christian slain at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Wamako.

Irate attackers in Sokoto have just roasted a Christian female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Wamako, witnesses told Peoples Gazette.

The deceased, identified only as Ms Deborah, was accused of passing unflattering comments about Prophet Mohammed on campus.

Following immediate threats to her safety, she was immediately evacuated to the security post of the school, according to a student who witnessed the development and passed its preliminary details to The Gazette. But the mob pursued her to the security post and overpowered the personnel there.

The witness’ information has not been independently verified by The Gazette, but a video has already circulated online showing how the student was set alight.

Sokoto police spokesman Sanusi Abubakar declined comments about the incident when reached by The Gazette.

Authorities have issued a statement announcing immediate closure of the school over the fracas that broke out following Ms Deborah’s murder.

Killing over blasphemy has been a recurring crisis across northern Nigeria for years, but authorities have not been able to address the situation. Culprits are usually not arrested, or released shortly after being taken into custody in the predominantly Muslim region.

The police in a statement said the victim, identified as Deborah Samuel, was killed over a message she posted in an online forum. Two suspects have been arrested, police said.

Matthew Kukah, Catholic head of Sokoto Diocese, and Sultan Abubakar both condemned the incident and called on authorities to ensure urgent apprehension of all suspects.

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