Tension gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis on Friday after worshippers killed a man who allegedly stabbed an Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, shortly after he led the Juma’at prayer at his mosque in the Mabera area of the city.
The incident triggered protests by some youths in parts of the metropolis and heightened tension in areas including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi, forcing several shop owners to close their businesses for fear of possible attacks.
Residents were also seen leaving some commercial areas as security operatives moved into strategic locations to maintain law and order.
The attacker, reportedly a young man among the worshippers, allegedly stabbed Lukwa twice in the neck before other worshippers overpowered him and killed him.
The development reportedly followed news that the cleric had survived the attack, further fuelling tension among some youths in the metropolis.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the incident might not be unconnected with a previous sermon delivered by the cleric, which some Islamic scholars and their followers considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.
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The sermon had previously generated tension, with a man identified as Mai Barewa allegedly threatening the cleric and one of his senior students. Mai Barewa was subsequently arrested and arraigned before a court, with the case still ongoing.
The cleric and his followers were also said to have submitted a written complaint to the Sokoto State Government four days before Friday’s attack, raising concerns over the threats against them.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the cleric was receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto. According to him, the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers after the incident.
Rufa’i said, “The cleric was stabbed and has been taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he is receiving treatment and responding to treatment.
“The suspect was killed by the cleric’s followers, and no arrest has been made in connection with the ensuing violence.”
He added that the police had taken measures to prevent the incident from escalating, while an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those involved.
The police urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands as the investigation into the incident continues.
PUNCH
