There is outrage as Muslim male students lynched and then burnt the body of a female Christian student, Deborah, at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State over alleged blasphemy.
The student, who was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), was first lynched.
In a video of the incident circulated online, young male students hurled stones at her. Some also used sticks and different objects to hit her. When the victim fell to the ground unconsciously, the attackers gathered tyres around her before she was set ablaze.
There has been outrage against the lynching and burning of her body by the male Muslim students. Below are some of the reactions:
Bello Shagari: Any mob action anywhere killing anyone for any reason is wrong, barbaric and un-Islamic. The sooner our ulama wakes up to educate people on sensitive issues like these the better. The mob action against the lady in Sokoto is most unfortunate and completely condemned.
Farooq Kperogi: Murderers of Christian Woman in Sokoto Must Be Arrested & Punished! I just watched a bloodcurdling video clip of a bunch of murderous, maniacal brutes murdering & burning a Christian woman at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto because she allegedly blasphemed Islam.
Aisha Yesufu:Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun! What manner of barbarism just happened in Sokoto? Who the hell are you to take someone’s life? The Prophet (SAW) went to visit a man that usually insult & pour debris on him when the man was ill
Nigeria keeps producing serial killers!Oghenna!
Rinu Oduala: What kind of country is this?
Mr Macaroni: This is what happens when there are no consequences for actions in the society. The government must wake up from their slumber!!
A source said that the late Deborah had allegedly made the blasphemous comment on a WhatsApp group when a religious comment was posted on the platform and while criticising it, Deborah made the blasphemous comment against the Prophet.
“The group was created by her colleagues and it served as a platform to discuss academic issues,” said the source.
However, another person said she made the comment while quarreling with a fellow student at the hostel.
“She was asked to apologize but refused and this heightened tension in the school. The College security personnel had to intervene by whisking her to their office but they were overwhelmed by students, who later set her ablaze,” the source said.
Briefing reporters at Government House, Sokoto, Commissioner of Information, Isa Bajini Galadanchi, said Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had ordered that the school be shut and directed the Ministry of Higher Education and relevant security agencies to investigate the matter.
“The Governor has called on the people of the State to remain calm and maintain peace as the government would take appropriate actions on the findings of the investigation,” Bajini said.
Our reporter, who visited the school, observed heavy armed security operatives patrolling the premises while students were trooping out with their belongings.