#BreakingNews Catholic Cathedral and Centre Attacked after Arrest of Murderer of Deborah, the Christian Falsely Accused of Blasphemy


After a Nigerian Christian woman was stoned to death and burned, the Catholic Bishop issued a statement of outcry for her murder. Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a Christian, had refused to date a Muslim member of her community, then she thanked Christ for passing an exam.  

 For these reasons she was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death. Subsequently, her attackers were arrested. However, some youths who found the killing justified went on a rampage attacking the Catholic Cathedral, Church, Centre and other buildings in the area.

Here is the press release from the Diocese:

Current Development in Sokoto.

The Sokoto State Government has declared 24-hours curfew to help stem the ongoing protests embarked upon by Muslim youth in the state capital today. 

During the protest, groups of youths led by some adults in the background attacked the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral at Bello Way, destroying church glass windows, those of the Bishop Lawton Secretariat and vandalized a community bus parked within the premises. St. Kevin's Catholic Church Gidan Dere, Eastern By-pass, was also attacked and party burnt; windows of the new hospital complex under construction, in the same premises were shattered.

They were promptly dispersed by a team of Mobile Policemen before they could do further damage.

The hoodlums also attacked the Bakhita Centre located along Aliyu Jodi Road and burnt down a bus within the premises.

In a reaction, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Hasan Kukah commended the Governor of Sokoto State, H.E Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal for acting promptly by declaring the 24-hour curfew to stem the protests.

He also commended the security forces for promptly risking to the occasion to prevent further damage at our facilities.

In all, no life was lost.

Contrary to information in circulation, we wish to disclaim that there was an attack of any sort on the residence of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.

The Bishop appeals to Christians to remain law abiding and pray for the return of normalcy.

All Masses in Sokoto metropolis have been suspended until the curfew is lifted.

Signed

Rev. Fr. Christopher A. Omotosba.

Director, Directorate of Social Communications Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.

14th May, 2022.

Press statement by Bishop Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese on the Murder of Miss. Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto.
 I have received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that has occurred in the Shehu Shagari College of Education. Sokoto, leading to the gruesome murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu, a 200 Level Home Economics Student today. We condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call on the authorities to investigate this tragedy and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book. 
The only obligation that is owed to her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to the extant laws of our land. This has nothing to do with Religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbors here in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause. 
Meanwhile, I wish to call on all Christians in Sokoto and around to remain calm and to please pray for the repose of the soul Ms. Deborah. It is the first obligation we owe her. May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family. Signed Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah. Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese. 12/5/22.

Comments

Post a Comment