Crime & PunishmentLaw & JusticeNewsNorthern Christian Group, Amnesty International Demands Prosecution Of Deborah’s Murderers, As Islamic Cleric, Sokoto Govt Aide Justifies Act

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The Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has condemned in strong terms the gruesome murder of a Christian college girl and 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

NOSCEF in a statement by its Chairman, Ejoga Inalegwu, in Kaduna on Friday, called on the government to immediately apprehend and make an example of those who perpetrated the dastardly act.

The Association noted that the act was purely a murder in the robe of religion, adding that anything short of apprehending and prosecuting those involved in the heinous act was unacceptable.

Inalegwu added, “The death of Deborah Yakubu (Samuel) is one too many by mobs wearing a cloak of religion in the North. In a country where there is a law, nobody, group or individuals has a right to take another’s life whatsoever, outside the due process of law.

“We also urge the government to make a public example and make a new statement by quickly bringing the perpetrators to book.

“This will (should) not be the usual rhetoric of condemnations and then the case is swept under the carpet with publicised arrests, no prosecution or jaundiced prosecution and letting off the hook, when the outcries die down.

“One day, it is the videoed execution of Christians in the North because of a said killing of a terrorist in Syria, and next what should have been an internal WhatsApp class platform chat results in mob action murder, wearing the robe of religion in our dear North.

“NOSCEF commiserates with the family of Deborah Yakubu (Samuel) in their period of grief and this avoidable pain, and urge Nigerians to rally round them to comfort and lessen their grief.”

In the same vein, Amnesty International, in a statement on Friday, has demanded immediate justice for slain Deborah Samuel.

“Amnesty International Nigeria condemns the horrific lynching of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto on alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed on 12 May 2022,” Osisi Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria said in the statement.

“The lynching of the female student is deplorable, and authorities must ensure those responsible for her death are immediately arrested and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Maqari, Imam of the National Mosque Abuja, has justified the lynching of the 200-level Home Economics Christian student, blaming her for crossing the red lines of Islamic faith.

“It should be known to everyone that we the Muslims have some red lines beyond which MUST NOT be crossed. The dignity of the Prophet (PBUH) is at the forefront of the red lines. If our grievances are not properly addressed, then we should not be criticized for addressing them ourselves,” said a statement posted on the Imam’s Twitter account.

Lending credence to the Imam’s position, Personal Assistant to the Sokoto Finance Commissioner, Anas Mohammad Sani, threatened that more Christians in Nigeria will be murdered if they say things considered disrespectful to their revered Prophet Muhammad.

“Muslims don’t take insults against beloved prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in whatever form,” Peoples Gazette quoted him as saying.

“The earlier our Christian brothers and sisters understand this, the better for all of us. May the recklessness of our tongues never drive us to (an) early grave.”

By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter)

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