The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah condemned in the strongest term, the murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto, by some Muslim students for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Mohammed.
In a statement on Thursday in Sokoto, Kukah called on the authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book.
Kukah who noted that Christians and Muslims in Sokoto have live peacefully for years, said the tragedy has nothing to do with religion but a criminal act.
He said the only obligation that is owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance that those who are guilty of the barbaric act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to the extant laws of our land.
The statement titled “Murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu”, reads:
“I have received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that has occurred in the Shehu
Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, leading to the gruesome murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu, a 200 level Home Economics Student today.
“We condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call on the authorities to investigate
this tragedy and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book.
“The only obligation that is
owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance
that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished
according to the extant laws of our land.
“This has nothing to do with Religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours here in Sokoto over the years.
“This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.
“Meanwhile, I wish to call on all Christians in Sokoto and around to remain calm and to please pray for the repose of the soul of Ms. Deborah. It is the first obligation we owe her.
“May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family.”
