Sokoto Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has ordered the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed, last Saturday, to stem the riots which broke out in parts of the state, Saturday, as irate Muslims demanded the release of two persons arrested by the police in connection with the mob killing of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOED), Miss Deborah Samuel Yakubu, Thursday.
The relaxation of the curfew, according to Governor Tambuwal, is sequel to briefing by the Security Heads in Sokoto State.
The revised curfew will now be from dusk to dawn (6am-6pm) in Sokoto town.
According to a statement by the Commissioner of Information in Sokoto, Isah Bajini, the development was with a view to afford people the window to pursue their legitimate businesses and other means of livelihood.
The Government, however, advised people to maintain peace in this regard, as it will not condone any breach of law and order in the State.
Riots broke out in parts of Sokoto, as irate Muslim youths targeted churches and other properties belonging the Catholic and ECWA churches in the state, as they demanded the release of the two arrested persons said to have played a role in the beating to death and subsequent lynching of the 200-leve, Economic student of the institution, Miss Yakubu, over alleged blasphemy.
Several properties belonging to the catholic suffered damages, as the rioters further marched to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad demanding release of the suspects.
The Sokoto Sultanate Council had, as early as Friday, condemned the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto State, following outrage by Nigerians over the incident.
The Sultanate Council in a statement issued by its secretary, Sa’idu Mohammadu Maccido, called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The council called on members of the public to remain calm and live peacefully with one another.
“The Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happening at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, SSCOE Sokoto that led to the loss of life of a female student of the institution.
“The Sultanate Council condemns the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.
“The Sultanate Council has urged all to remain calm and ensure peaceful co-existence among all people of the state and nation.”
Earlier Thursday, the State Commissioner for Education, Alh. Isah Bajini Galadanci, announced the immediate shutdown of the institution
“It has come to the notice of Sokoto State government, the unfortunate incident that took place at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in which a student of the college lost her life.
“The Government has ordered the immediate closure of the college.
“Already the state governor Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has directed the Ministry of Higher education and relevant security agencies in the state to commence investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the incident and report back to the government,” said the Education Commissioner.