Tragedy in Sokoto: How Deborah Samuel Was Lynched Over Blasphemy Accusations
Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a 200-level Home Economics student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto. She sent a voice note in her class WhatsApp group telling classmates to stick to school-related messages. Some members saw her comments about the Prophet Muhammad as blasphemous and shared her recording beyond the group. A mob formed on campus as students demanded her punishment. School authorities hid her in the security office and called a taxi to take her to safety. Before she could escape, the crowd dragged her out, beat her, pelted her with stones and set her on fire in broad daylight. The horrific killing sparked national outrage. The college was closed indefinitely and two suspects were arrested. Protests and reprisals led to a curfew in Sokoto, while Christians and churches faced attacks. Despite calls for justice, the suspects were charged only with inciting disturbance and the case was later struck out. Years on, the family has been relocated for their safety, but Deborah’s killers remain unpunished.
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