SOKOTO — Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state in a bid to curtail the violent protest that erupted in the state following the death of Deborah Samuel.
Recall that Deborah was killed by a mob over alleged blasphemy on Thursday which led to the suspension of academic activities in Shehu Agaghari College of Education, Sokoto.
Her killing had sparked outrage and condemnation across the country, with various individuals and groups, especially the Christian community asking the government to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.
Subsequently, the police command in Sokoto announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the killing, and said they had begun a manhunt for other suspects who appeared in the footage of the gruesome murder which trended on social media.
The arrest, however, seemed not to go down well with some youths in the state who took to the streets of Sokoto, lighting bonfires and demanding the release of the two detained suspects on Saturday morning.
They reportedly retreated downtown where they attempted to loot shops belonging to Christian residents, but were dispersed by security patrol teams.
In a swift reaction, Governor Aminu Tambuwal imposed a 24-hour curfew on the people of the North-West state.
According to the governor, the curfew has become necessary as the only option left for the government to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state.
Tambuwal in a statement said, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe these measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”
