The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has condemned the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, over alleged blasphemy.

The Star had reported that Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level Home Economics student, was beaten and set ablaze by her colleagues on Thursday morning.

Speaking on the incident, Bishop Kukah said the killing of Deborah has nothing to do with religion, noting that Christians have lived peacefully with Muslims in Sokoto over the years.

The Bishop in a statement issued by him, however, called on security agencies to treat the incident as a criminal act, adding that law must take its cause.

The Bishop stated: “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.

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“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,” Bishop Kukah said.

The Star