Sokoto: Kukah Thanks Tambuwal; Catholic Church Says Cathedral, Another Church, Centre, Attacked

By Gideon Njoku

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto said that groups of youths, led by some adults in the background, attacked the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral at Bello Way as well as St Kevin’s Catholic Church  Gidan Dere, Eastern  By-pass. During the attack, the Cathedral was destroyed, and part of St Kevin’s burnt.

Also attacked was the Bakhita Centre located along Aliyu Jodi Road.

In a statement by the Diocese, signed on its behalf by Rev. Fr. Christopher A. Omotosho, the Diocese said that Bishop,  Mathew Hassan Kukah, expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Aminu Tambuwal, for his prompt action in declaring an immediate 24-,hour curfew.  Kukah also expressed appreciation to law enforcement agents for their prompt action which dispersed the mob.

The statement revealed that Bishop Kukah’s residence was not attacked contrary to earlier reports.

It read in part: “The Sokoto State Government has declared 24-hour curfew to help stem the ongoing protests embarked upon by Muslim youths 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, Gildan Dare, Eastern By-pass, was also attacked and partly 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 Mathew Hassan 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 rising to the occasion to prevent further damage to 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 has been suspended until the curfew is lifted.”

The youths, who embarked on the violent protest, were asking for the release of two persons arrested by the Police in connection with the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a second year student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by her School mates.

Deborah, a Christian, allegedly committed blasphemy by speaking in unflattering manner about Holy Prophet Mohammed in a class Whatsaap platform.

She was stoned, clubbed to death, and her body set ablaze. Her murder was greeted by outrage. The United Kingdom has called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators

She was taken home to her village in Niger State on Saturday and buried.