Sokoto: A mob attacked a Catholic cathedral in Nigeria amid protests demanding the release of two suspects in the killing of a Christian student.

Deborah Samuel, a student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto Metropolis, was attacked and killed by a group of radical students and youths, alleging her of blasphemy. The police arrested two people connection with the murder.

The Diocese of Sokoto said in a statement that the youth targeted Holy Family Catholic Cathedral in Sokoto, north-west Nigeria, after the arrest.
The Sokoto diocese said: “The Sokoto State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew to help stem the ongoing protests embarked upon by Muslim youth 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 and vandalized a community bus parked within the premises.”

“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.”

Sokoto Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah thanked state governor Aminu Tambuwal for imposing the curfew to quell protests, as well as the security forces for preventing further damage to diocesan facilities.

The diocese added: “Contrary to information in circulation, we wish to disclaim that there was an attack of any sort on the residence of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.”

“The bishop appeals to Christians to remain law-abiding and pray for the return of normalcy. All Masses in Sokoto metropolis have been suspended until the curfew is lifted.”

He went on: “This has nothing to do with religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Islamic 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 of Ms. Deborah. It is the first obligation we owe her. May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family.”

Nigeria is ranked seventh on the World Watch List for the persecution of Christians compiled by the advocacy group ‘Open Doors’.

Christians in Africa’s most populous country have suffered growing insecurity in recent years amid attacks by the terrorist organization Boko Haram and the Fulani Militia, a nomadic, group.

Christian leaders have consistently accused President Muhammadu Buhari, who has led the country since 2015, of failing to quell the ongoing assaults and violence against the community.