BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Following the gruesome murder of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, identified as Deborah Samuel, over alleged blasphemy, the Sokoto State Government has declared 24 hours curfew in the state as a measure towards ensuring peace and stability in the state.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal made the declaration in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Sokoto 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”, he said.
Governor Tambuwal, further, appealed for calm, adding that breakdown of law and orders will not be to anybody’s advantage.
“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 measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law”.
NATIONAL ACCORD recalled that Miss Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) was within the week gruesomely murdered and set ablaze in the school on allegation of blasphemy.
The incident was criticized by both the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) MURIC and it generated global condemnations.
Security agencies in the State were said to have apprehended some of the perpetrators of the heinous crime, a development that some were not comfortable with leading to protest days later.
This, therefore gave birth to speculations that a leaflet was circulated that they should all assemble at the Gawon Mama area of the metropolis by 9am on Saturday morning to commence protest requesting for the release of the suspects so far arrested over the killing of Miss Deborah.
The protesters actually assembled at the planned venue but were dispersed by security agencies. Shortly after that, another group initiated protest along Bello Way within the metropolis.
At the time of filing this report, security agencies were seen patrolling the State to ensure peace and stability as well as ensure compliance with the 24 hours curfew directive given by Governor Tambuwal.
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