*Bishop Kukah Calls for Calm
By Habibu Harisu
Sokoto State Government on Thursday confirmed the death of a student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto, and ordered the closure of the institution indefinitely.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the student unrest was caused by an alleged blasphemy made by the deceased student identified as Deborah against Islamic religion through a social media group.
The students, in mob outrage, traced the female student and killed her as well as burnt the corpse at the school security gate after overpowering the school securities.
Addressing a news conference, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isa Bajini-Galadunci, confirmed the student’s death and said the state government had ordered immediate closure of the school.
Bajini-Galadunci said Gov. Aminu Tambuwal had directed the Ministry of Higher Education and other relevant agencies to commence investigation into the incident and report back to the state government.
The Commissioner said Tambuwal urged citizens to remain calm and law abiding, assuring them that appropriate action would be taken after the investigation.
NAN reports that combined security operatives were deployed to the college as students were seen evacuating the campus.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah expressed sadness that such inhuman act was carried out in Sokoto.
In a statement distributed by APO Group on behalf of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Kukah condemned the act in very strong terms. He called on the Sokoto state government and the relevant authorities to investigate the incident to ascertain the cause of the action and bring the perpetrators of the act to book.
He said the only obligation owed the parents of the murdered student, her fellow students and the College is to ensure that those who carried out the act are punished, no matter their motivation.
The Bishop added that what happened has nothing to do with religion as christians have been living peacefully with fellow muslims in Sokoto over the years.
Bishop Kukah called on all christians to remain calm and pray for the repose of the soul of Deborah Yakubu.
Meanwhile, the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto has been shut down.