A level-two female student identified as Deborah Samuel of the Shehu Shagari College of Education was beaten to a pulp, killed and burnt on Thursday in Sokoto state over alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
According to the police, the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.
In videos circulating on social media, some men were seen stoning and flogging a motionless body draped in red attire.
Some footage also captured a raging fire as a man faced the camera, claiming that he killed and burnt her as he showed a matchbox.
The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.
The Commissioner of Information, Isa Bajini Galadanchi at Government House, Sokoto, said Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had ordered the closure of the school and directed the ministry of Higher Education and relevant security agencies to investigate the matter.
He said, “The Governor has called on the people of the state to remain calm and maintain peace as the government would take appropriate actions on the findings of the investigation.”
According to a statement signed by its spokesperson, Sanusi Abubakar, the police said it has arrested two persons in connection with the killing.
He said the police mobilised to scene of the incident upon receiving the information led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operation and other commanders to bring the situation under control.
Mr. Abubakar also said the school has been shut down, additional police personnel has been deployed to the premises and the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola, has appealed to members of the public to go about their lawful activities.
