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Ex-Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State

Deborah: Tambuwal declares 24 hours curfew in Sokoto as groups protest arrest of suspects

Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

As a measure towards ensuring peace and stability in Sokoto following reactions over the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel over allegation of blasphemy, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has declared 24 hours curfew in the State with immediate effect.

Tambuwal who made the declaration in a press release further appealed for calm, adding that breakdown of law and orders will not be to anybody’s advantage.

The statement by the Governor, which was sent to the media read, “a text of curfew declaration statement by Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal [CFR], Mutawallen Sokoto today May 13, 2022, on the restoration of law and order in the state following students’ unrest that led to the killing of Miss Deborah Emmanuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

“Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.

“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.

“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.

“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law”.

It will be recalled that Miss Deborah Samuel a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) was within the week gruesomely murdered and set ablaze in the school on allegation of blasphemy.

The incident was criticized by both the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and MURIC, and it generated global condemnations.

Security agencies in the State were said to have apprehended some of the perpetrators of the heinous crime, a development that some were not comfortable with leading to protests.

This, therefore gave birth to speculations that a leaflet was circulated that they should all assemble at the Gawon Mama area of the metropolis by 9am on Saturday morning to commence protest requesting for the release of the suspects so far arrested over the killing of Miss Deborah.

The protesters actually assembled at the planned venue but were dispersed by security agencies. Shortly after that, another group initiated protest along Bello Way within the metropolis which houses many Churches, Emir Yahaya and Sahara that are part of the commercial nerve centers of the town.

At the time of filing this report, security agencies were seen patrolling the State to ensure peace and stability as well as ensure compliance with the 24 hours curfew directive given by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

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