Protesters have taken to the streets of Sokoto demanding for the release of students arrested by security agents over the killing of Deborah Samuel, who made a blasphemous statement against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
This had led to the imposition of 24-hour curfew on the city by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The protesters, both male and female, staged the protests in different parts of the Sokoto metropolis setting bonfires. The youths were also at Kanwuri, the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and the Government House.
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While declaring the curfew, Tambuwal said “I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”
Tambuwal said he took the decision to declare the curfew “by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law,”
