Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has relaxed the curfew imposed as a result of the violent protest that trailed the murder of Ms Deborah Samuel, the 200l student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education alleged to have made a blasphemous statement against Prophet Muhammad.
On Saturday, Tambuwal declared a 24-hour curfew within the metropolis in a bid to prevent a curtail further spread of civil unrest trailing the death of Miss Deborah Samuel.
In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Isah Bajini, said Governor Tambuwal relaxed the curfew after receiving briefing from security agencies in the state.
“Sequel to the briefing by the security heads in the state, the State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has ordered the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew in force in Sokoto metropolis.
“The revised curfew will now be from dusk to dawn in Sokoto township. This is with a view to affording people the window to pursue their legitimate businesses and other means of livelihood.”
Deborah’s death has sparked outrage from various individuals and groups across the country, including the Christian community who demanded that her killers be brought to justice.
But the curfew imposed was in response to a demonstration by scores of residents over the detention of two students arrested in connection with Deborah’s murder.
The victim was stoned to death and her body burnt by a mob of Muslim students of the college after she made a post they deemed insulted Prophet Muhammad.
Following the arrest of two persons, police said they had begun a manhunt for other suspects who appeared in footage of the gruesome murder which trended on social media.
Angered by the police action, Muslim youths reportedly took to the streets of Sokoto, lighting bonfires and demanding the release of the two detained suspects, sources said.
Some of the protesters, according to them, besieged the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, chanting “Allahu Akbar” or God is Great.
The youths were, however, said to have been dispersed by police and soldiers guarding the palace.
They reportedly retreated downtown where they attempted to loot shops belonging to Christian residents, but were dispersed by security patrol teams.
