The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has denied reports that the residence of the Bishop of the church, Most Rev. Hassan Kukah, was set ablaze, following the protest on Saturday by some Muslim youths in the state.

The Muslim youths were protesting the arrest of suspects involved in the murder of Deborah Yakubu, the 200-level Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, who was killed for alleged blasphemy.

The governor of the state, Aminu Tambuwal, had imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state following the protest.

The Director of Social Communication of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Fr. Christopher Omotosho, in a statement on Saturday, said the house of Bishop Kukah was not attacked as being reported on social media.

Omotosho however noted that the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral on Bello Way in the state was attacked by the protesters.

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He stated: “They destroyed the glass windows of the church and those of  Bishop Lawton Secretariat. The community bus parked within the premises of the secretariat was also vandalised.

“St. Kevin’s Catholic Church on  Gidan Dere, Eastern By-pass was also attacked and partly burnt by the protesters. Windows of the hospital complex under construction on the same premises were also shattered.”

Omotosho added that the prompt response of a combined team of police officers helped to forestall further destruction.

He, however, appealed to Christians to remain law-abiding and pray for the return of normalcy, noting that all masses in Sokoto metropolis have been suspended until the 24-hour curfew is lifted.

The Star