Deborah: Police arrest two students, shut Sokoto college

Police have arrested two students of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State over their alleged involvement in the killing of their colleague, identified as Deborah Samuel, who was killed and set ablaze over alleged blasphemy.

The Star had reported that Deborah was burnt to death by her colleagues for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

However, the Sokoto State Police Command, while reacting to the incident via a statement issued by its spokesman, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said two students of the college have been arrested in connection with the killing of Deborah.

Abubakar disclosed that the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room of the college where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her, and razed the building.

The police spokesperson stated: “At about 0900hrs, a distress call was received from Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, stating that students were rioting over one female student named Deborah Samuel, a level two student, who was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“The students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.

“The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.

“Upon receiving the information, the DC Operations led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders in the state to the school where the road was cleared and the situation was brought under control. Two students were arrested in connection with the crime committed.

“The school has been closed down by the school authority, and policemen were deployed to give tight security coverage.

“The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Kamaldeen kola Okunlola, is appealing to members of the public to go about their lawful activities and should not panic as the situation is under control,” Abubakar said.

He noted that the suspects in the viral video on Twitter have been identified, adding that the police would arrest the suspects soon.

The Star