Published 14th May, 2022

By Abdullah Tijani

Not less than two protesters have been reportedly killed and several others injured by the officers of the Nigeria Police force in Sokoto.

A protester who asked not to be named told FIJ that people were shot dead during the demonstration against the arrest of the killers of Deborah Samuel, a Christian lady stoned and burnt to death by a mob for blaspheming Prophet Muhamad on Thursday.

Speaking with FIJ, the protester confirmed that the mob marched to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, and destroyed several houses and properties belonging to Christians in the city.

He also said he believed some Christians had been physically assaulted.

“I know we’ve attacked them [Christians],” one of the protesters said. “And two of us have been killed.

“We won’t stop until they release those they arrested over the death of that girl.”

After the video of how the mob killed Deborah went viral on Thursday, the Sultan of Sokoto and spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, condemned the act and called on the police to bring the perpetrators to book.

To curtail the violence, Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State, imposed a 24-hour curfew in the city.

FIJ could not confirm how many people have been arrested over the death of Deborah, as several calls made to ASP Abubakar Sanusi, the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, were not answered, and a message sent to his phone was not responded to.

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