Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State has banned religious protest in the North-West state to curtail escalating tension over the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel by Islamic fanatics in Sokoto State on Thursday.
The government in a statement signed by the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan, said it is taking the decision with security agencies under the umbrella of the Kaduna State Security Council to ensure law and orderliness in the state.
This prohibition becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organise series of for-and-against protests related to a security development in one of the Northern Nigerian States.
Mr Aruwan said the Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has been briefed of the development and has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the ban in the State.
“The Governor also charged religious leaders, community leaders and traditional rulers throughout the State to complement the efforts of government and security agencies towards the maintenance of peace and stability.”
Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the State, by way of religious protests, will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted, and conveners prosecuted.
Aruwan, however, urged the citizens of the state to remain calm as they go about their lawful pursuits, adding that they can report any security concern to the government via Kaduna State Security Operations Room, on 09034000060 and 08170189999.
Backstory
Ms Deborah, a 200 level Home-Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education was stoned to death and her remains set ablaze by irate fundamentalists who accused her of blaspheming Prophet Mohammad.
Two persons were arrested in connection to the barbaric act justified by the Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Ibrahim Maqari, who said the deceased crossed Islamic redline by cautioning her student-colleagues against turning their department’s WhatsApp group meant for academic discourse to that used in disseminating Islamic contents.
On Saturday morning, protests broke out across Sokoto metropolis with Muslims demonstrators calling for the release of the suspects alleged to have spearheaded the killing of the deceased at the school premises.
They took their protest to the palace of Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who condemned the nasty action of the mob before going on rampage at other axis of the area.
A Catholic church and Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) were set ablaze, while nearby shops were looted and destroyed as security agencies struggled to bring the situation under control, according to multimedia reports reviewed by TODAY POLITICS.
Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a 24-hour curfew to whittle down the violence from further escalating.
