Female student burnt, killed in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, over alleged blasphemous statement.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, and made available to newsmen in the state on Thursday.

“At about 0900hrs, a distress call was received from the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, stating that students were rioting over one female student named Deborah Samuel, a NCE 2 student, who was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The police said the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.

“Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building. The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.

Videos on social media show men stoning and flogging a motionless body draped in red attire.

Some footage also captured a raging fire as a man faced the camera, claiming that he killed and burnt her, and brandishing a matchbox.

According to the police the students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.

In a statement signed by spokesperson, Sanusi Abubakar, the police said it has arrested two persons in connection with the killing.

He said the police mobilized to scene of the incident upon receiving the information led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operation and other commanders to bring the situation under control.

According to Mr. Abubakar, the school has been shut down and additional police personnel deployed to the premises.

He also noted that the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola, has appealed to members of the public to go about their lawful activities and not panic as the situation is under control.

The police also vowed that the suspects in the viral video on Twitter were spotted and will be nailed soon.