Stoning, Murder of Nigerian Christian Student “criminal, law must take its cause”: Bishop

“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,” Bishop Kukah says.

He adds in reference to the killing, “This has nothing to do with Religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbors here in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.”

“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 Local Ordinary of Sokoto further says in his May 12 statement.

He continues, “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.”

The killing has also attracted condemnation from a section of the Muslim community in Nigeria, with the Sokoto Sultanate Council describing the incident as “unjustifiable” and “unfortunate”.

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“The Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happenings at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, (SSCOE) Sokoto that led to the loss of life of a female student of the Institution,” Sa'idu Muhammadu Maccido, the Secretary of the Council, has been quoted as saying.

He has added, “The Sultanate Council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.”

The Muslim leader has urged the city to remain calm and to ensure “peaceful coexistence among all people of the State and nation.”

The same sentiments are echoed by Bishop Kukah who has also expressed solidarity with Debora’s family.

“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,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop says, and adds, “May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family.”