Lynching of Deborah Yakubu

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On 12 May 2022, Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a second-year Christian college student, was killed by a mob of Muslim students in Sokoto, Nigeria, after being accused of blasphemy.[1]

Background

Main article: Blasphemy in Nigeria

Nigeria is evenly divided into a largely Muslim north and a Christian south. Twelve of Nigeria's thirty-six states have Sunni Islam as the predominant religion, and operate Sharia courts as well as secular customary courts.[2][3] Sharia courts may treat blasphemy as deserving of several punishments up to, and including, execution.[4]

Vigilantism and extrajudicial killings sometimes occur after accusations of blasphemy.[5]

Lynching

Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a Christian, was accused of posting a blasphemous statement against the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She allegedly made a comment on WhatsApp, criticizing the religion-related posts that Muslim classmates discussed in the study group she believed should have been reserved for academic purposes.[6][7]

On 12 May 2022, Yakubu was forcibly taken from the security room she was hidden in at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto. A cab had been waiting outside the school to escort her to safety at the police station.[8] Within the college premises, a mob of fellow students stoned Yakubu,[9][10] before dumping tires on her and burning her body beyond recognition.[8][11] According to witnesses, security forces fired tear gas and warning shots but failed to disperse the mob.[10] A student who had witnessed the lynching recounted that Yakubu's last words were "What do you hope to achieve with this?", and that Christian students fled the premises during the lynching.[7] A video of the murder circulated on social media.[12]

Aftermath

Governor Aminu Tambuwal ordered the indefinite closure of the college immediately after the incident, and opened an investigation.[13][5]

Two students identified from the video were arrested in connection with the lynching.[14][15]

Reactions

President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the murder, saying: “Muslims all over the world demand respect for the Holy Prophets, including Isah (Alaihissalaam, Jesus Christ) and Muhammad (SAW) but where transgressions occur, as alleged to be the case in this instance, the law does not allow anyone to take matters into their hands." He extended his condolences to Yakubu's family and commended the state's government's prompt response and investigation.[11] Presidential opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar was heavily criticized for taking down social media posts condemning the killing after receiving backlash from Muslim supporters.[16][17]

Religious leaders throughout the country as well as leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria called for the swift prosecution of Yakubu's killers.[18][19][20] Sultan of Sokoto Sa’adu Abubakar III and the Sokoto Sultanate Council also condemned the "unfortunate happenings" and urged security agencies to bring the offenders to justice.[8][21][22] British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing condemned the killing and urged that the authorities "ensure the perpetrators of this horrific act are made to face justice in line with the law."[23]

References

  1. ^ Oyero, Kayode (12 May 2022). "Killing of student barbaric, NBA must cancel Sokoto event –SAN". The Punch. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Nigeria: International Religious Freedom Report 2008". U.S. Department of State. 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  3. ^ "Blasphemy convictions spark Nigerian debate over sharia law". Reuters. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  4. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Sharia court in Nigeria sentences singer to death for blasphemy | DW | 11 August 2020". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Mob kills student over 'blasphemy' in northern Nigerian college". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Female student in Nigeria beaten to death over 'blasphemy'". the Guardian. Reuters. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Deborah's last words as she pleaded for mercy: What do you hope to achieve with this?". Vanguard News. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "200-level-student beaten to death, burnt for alleged blasphemy". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  9. ^ "'Di actions of di pipo wey kill Deborah no represent Islam' – Islamic clerics". BBC News Pidgin. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  10. ^ a b Ibrahim, Hamza (13 May 2022). "Nigerian student beaten, burned to death over 'blasphemous' text messages". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Alleged Blasphemy: Nigerians demand justice for Deborah". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  12. ^ Stephanie Busari. "Female student killed by mob at Nigeria school over blasphemy claims". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Deborah death force Sokoto College to close down – Read wetin happun". BBC News Pidgin. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  14. ^ Reuters (13 May 2022). "Nigerian Christians demand justice for student killed over alleged blasphemy". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  15. ^ Asadu, Chinedu (12 May 2022). "Nigeria: Student accused of blasphemy is burnt to death". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Atiku's falling and fading star". Vanguard News. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Alleged Blasphemy: Why I deleted tweet about Deborah Samuel's murder – Atiku". Premium Times. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Blasphemy: Bring killers of Deborah Yakubu to book, CAN tells Govt". Vanguard News. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Murder of Deborah Yakubu: Archbishop Martins wants perpetrators punished". Vanguard News. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Catholic Communicators condemn killing of Deborah Yakubu". Vanguard News. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  21. ^ Ibrahim, Hamza (13 May 2022). "Nigerian student beaten, burned to death over 'blasphemous' text messages". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Alleged Blasphemy: Sokoto sultanate council condemns lynching of student". Premium Times. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  23. ^ "British high commissioner demands justice for Deborah". Businessday NG. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.


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