The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has condemned the murder of Deborah Yakubu, a 200 level student of Home Economics, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.
The student was stoned and burnt to death by some Muslim students who accused her of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed over comments she made in their school’s Whatsapp group. The irate youths made a video of the act and posted it on social media on Thursday.
Kukah demanded justice for the crime and asked the authorities to bring the guilty parties to book. According to police in Sokoto, two suspects in connection to the killing of the student have been arrested.
In a statement titled, ‘Murder of Ms Deborah Yakubu’, Kukah said, “We condemn this incident in the strongest term 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 to 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 brothers here in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.”
Several people have reacted to the death of the student. Babasola Kuti said, “A young lady was murdered. Her murder was recorded and shared on social media. More than 24 hours later. Not a word from president Buhari. Not a word from VP Yemi Osinbajo. Not a word from our Senate President or Speaker. Not even the Inspector General of Police. Na wa!”
Nkiru Njoku wrote, “Until notable Muslim personalities in Nigeria speak up against this mess, and put actions in place to curb such killings, the maniacs who take people’s lives in the name of Islam won’t stop. If they aren’t speaking up, people like Atiku Abubakar can make such a bold volte-face without seeing the irony in his actions – an actual presidential aspirant. Then, I think the handwriting on the wall is pretty.”
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