Outrage over killing of female student in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy

Nigerians have expressed outrage over the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed.

It was reported that a mob on Thursday killed a female student identified as Deborah over alleged blasphemy at the institution in Sokoto.

Deborah, who was killed in the premises of the college, was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW), during a hot argument with fellow students.

Commissioner of Information, Isah Bajini Galadanchi, told reporters that the State Government has ordered security agencies to investigate the incident to ascertain its remote causes.

But this gory action drew the ire of many Nigerians on social media.

They lambasted those who filmed the barbaric action and posted it online.

Outraged by the incident, many Nigerians on Twitter, demanded justice for the victim and asked Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure justice is served.

They trended the hashtag — #JusticeForDeborah.

Reacting, comedian, Debo Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni said: “This is what happens when there are no consequences for actions in the society. The government must wake up from their slumber!

“Justice must be served!!! And it must be swiftly done!! If not, we would be enabling a society wherein religious extremists take law into their hand, kill and destroy. These acts should be highly condemned lest we add more tension and Chaos to a society already on the edge!!

“Governor @AWTambuwal this is happening in your state!!! Issues like this should be swiftly addressed. Nigerians already have it hard!! Killing and burning of people should not be added to the list!!! “

Bello Shagari, the grandson of former President Shehu Shagari, said: “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. Islam cannot be defended with unjust behavior. Islam establishes justice and there is no justice in mob actions. Therefore those involved in the unjust act of taking laws into their own hands should be brought to account, and I am sure Allah will not spare them,” he said.

Human rights activist and co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, said: “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!”

Instagram celebrity, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest said: “Deborah’s killers in Sokoto must be brought to justice & such acts must never happen again! Enough is enough!! Nigeria is a country with freewill to practice one’s religion & not only Islam.”

Social commentator Mohammed Jamal said: “The news from Sokoto is heartbreaking”

Public affairs analyst Gimba Kakanda said: “What must be done is to have the killers of Deborah openly executed. This barbarism has no basis in Islam, and it indicts us all. This culture prevails because past self-appointed punishers of blasphemers got away with their crimes. We are not in anarchy, at least not officially.”  (The Nation)