Catholic Church suspends Masses in Sokoto over protest

Following protests over the arrest of students linked to the killing of Deborah Samuel, the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has suspended all Masses in Sokoto metropolis.

Director, Social Communications of the Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, in a statement titled ‘Current Development in Sokoto’ issued on Saturday, stated that the directive will be in place until the curfew imposed by the state government is lifted.

Omotosho also stated that the residence of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, was not attacked by the protesting youths.

He, however, admitted that two parishes of the church were vandalised and torched.

Omotosho said: “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 were also attacked and a community bus parked within the premises vandalised.

“St. Kevin’s Catholic Church Gidan Dere, 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.”

Bishop Kukah had condemned the killing.

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.

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The Bishop, 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.

“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 neighbours 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