Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has now imposed a 24-hour curfew to restore law and order in the state
By Kehinde Okeowo
Sokoto State was thrown into commotion on Saturday when some rioters protesting the arrest of the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel, who was lynched on Thursday for allegedly blaspheming against Prophet Mohammed stormed the streets.
The protesters reportedly attacked some churches along Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital, while demanding the release of the suspects.
According to SaharaReporters, two churches, a Catholic church, and an Evangelical Church Winning All, (ECWA) were either touched or destroyed by the rioters.
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There were also reports that some shops belonging to non-indigenes who resided in the area where the protest took place were also destroyed during the incident.
Following the gruesome murder of a Christian student, and a riot that broke out, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the people of the North-West to curtail the riot.
The governor in a statement said, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe these measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”