Governor Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a curfew over Sokoto to curb further spread of violence amid a mob rampage for the release of Deborah Samuel’s murder suspects.
The governor said the directive was issued “in pursuance of peace and order in Sokoto metropolis and the entire state.”
Violent outbreaks have been reported across Sokoto on Saturday amidst protests for the release of those responsible for Thursday’s killing of Ms Samuel.
Major streets such as Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano Road, where banks are located and Emir Yahaya Road, in the early hours of the day, were deserted with business places and shops closed.
However, attempts by the protesters to attack the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was resisted by security men on ground.
The grouse of the protesters, According to LEADERSHIP, was Sultan Abubakar’s condemnation of the dastard killing of late Deborah Yakubu.
Unperturbed with the presence of security personnel in some strategic areas within the state capital, the protesters in their large numbers stormed Ahmadu Bello Way church line, where Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, ECWA and C&S churches are located.
Attempts by the protesters to set the St. Mary Catholic Church ablaze was also resisted by armed security personnel drafted to the area, who fired several cannisters of teargas to disperse the irate protesters.
The protesters, however, succeeded in burning down a car around St. Mary Catholic Church.
Ms Samuel, a 200-level home economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was killed at about 9:00 a.m. for allegedly criticising Prophet Muhammad.
Her killing has sparked nationwide outrage, with political and religious leaders demanding urgent arrest and prosecution of all suspects.
