Deborah: Catholic communicators condemn killing of Sokoto student
Catholic Communicators in Nigeria, under the auspices of SIGNIS, have described as barbaric and satanic the alleged stoning to death and setting ablaze of a female student, Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State by a mob.
The group, while condemning in strong terms the lynching of the 200-level female Christian student, of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, said the incident once more underscored the need for those in positions of authority and religious leaders in the country to continue to educate their followers on the sanctity of human life and religious tolerance.
They said such incidents were also a pointer to the fact that “many of our young people have now turned themselves into solicitors and juries, dispensing capital punishment on mere civil matters as they will and against whoever they wish without any resort to the laws of the land.”
In a release signed by the President, SIGNIS Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, and the Secretary-General, Mr. Tony Agbugba, the group which comprises Catholic Media Practitioners, Public Relations experts, communications lecturers, and online editors, said it was very sad and unimaginable “that such barbaric practice of stoning humans to death for flimsy excuses of blasphemy still exists in some parts of the country in this 21st”, saying such out-dated practice should never again be allowed to fester in any part of Nigeria.
While consoling the families of the deceased over the gruesome murder of the student, the group called on the law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the culprits to book in the shortest possible time.
The statement added: “On behalf of the Catholic Communicators in Nigeria, we wish to express our utter dismay at the gory manner Deborah Yakubu was killed for no justifiable reason.”
“Let it be known that anytime an innocent life is cut short, part of the human race also goes with it”.
“God in heaven”, they said, “abhors such inhuman acts and we believe no religion on earth supports the arbitrary killing of another.
“Our Constitution also forbids it. We are, therefore, pained that such barbaric and satanic act still happens in this our clime. We condemn it in totality and we wish to call for an end to such evil practices.”
They urged the Inspector-General of Police to personally look into “this matter and ensure that all those found culpable in this act are made to face the full weight of the law.”
Deborah: Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder – Fani-Kayode on killing of Sokoto student
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has said Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that may soon explode.
Fani-Kayode was reacting to the killing of a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, Miss Deborah Samuel.
The student was beaten to a pulp and burnt alive on Thursday by male Muslim students who accused her of insulting Prophet Muhammed via a WhatsApp platform.
However, Fani-Kayode described Deborah’s killing as barbaric.
In a series of tweets, the former Minister wrote: “The barbaric slaughter of Deborah, a young, female Christian student in Sokoto by her fellow students who, within minutes, transformed themselves into a rampaging and wild mob of religious bigots and fanatics is totally unacceptable.
“Politics or no politics, the authorities must bring the culprits of this heinous and condemnable act to justice and ensure that the targeting and brutal slaughter of our people by homicidal maniacs & rabid mobs, for whatever reason, ceases forthwith.
“Whilst it is important that we respect each other’s religious sensitivities we must also acknowledge & recognise the fact that Nigeria is a SECULAR state where free speech is guaranteed by the constitution and that killing others for no just cause is an indefensible unacceptable way to behave.
“The number of calls that I have received today over this issue from members of the Christian community and Church and Christian leaders in our country are legion and the outrage is real.
“The truth is that we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder and must do all in our power to ensure that it does not explode. We cannot and must not tolerate the lynching of Christians, Muslims or members of any other religious faith in our streets by frenzied and rabid mobs for ANY reason whatsoever.
“We must also put a stop to the targetting and murder of members of other ethnic nationalities. We are not a nation of animals but one of civilised human beings who must always be compassionate, respectful, disciplined and restrained when it comes to interacting with one another.”
