Prof Yemi Osibanjo, the Nigerian Vice President has finally condemned the killing of a Christian student in the Northern state of Sokoto by some gang of Islamic bandits on Thursday.
The lady identified as Deborah Samuel was until her painful death in the hands of the terrorists a second-year student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.
Her unlawful killing was allegedly due to an allegation of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed of Islam. She was killed following a debate with fellow students of the school, who allegedly hired mobs from outside the school for her killing.
The Vice President has described the killing of the student as deeply distressing.
Osinbajo spoke with reporters on Friday at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly on arrival from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The vice president said it is worthy of note that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Sultan of Sokoto had condemned the incident.
Osinbajo said that there is no justification for extra-judicial killing as there are legal channels of addressing any misdeed.
He condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed God to comfort those she left behind.
KEY FACTS
- Late Deborah Samuel was until her painful death in the hands of the terrorists a second-year student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.
- She was killed for simply holding a contrary view to that of some fellow students who happened to be Muslims.
- Only two people have at the time of reporting been arrested for the killing, but none have been charged.
- The killings has been condemned by the Sultan of Sokoto and also by the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
NOTABLE QUOTES
“Let me say that, first, the president has reacted to this, in a statement which was issued earlier condemning the action.
“I must say that it’s a deeply distressing thing, very disturbing – such an atrocious killing of the young lady by a mob who took the law into their own hands; I think it’s very unfortunate.
“The swift reaction of the Sokoto State Government and also the Sultan of Sokoto is highly commendable.
“I think that their swift reaction to the situation clearly demonstrate the outrage of millions of Nigerians and also the desire of everyone to ensure that the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and prosecuted.”
“As the president said, there’s really no excuse for anyone to take the law into their own hands no matter the provocation, there are set processes for ensuring that we are able to redress whatever wrongs that are done against us.
“We must express our condolence to the family of the young lady, Deborah Samuel.
“I can’t imagine how her parents and siblings and members of her family feel, not just about her death, but the very horrendous nature of its occurrence.
“I think it’s very sad indeed, and we extend our sincere condolences to them; we ask that the Almighty will comfort them at this time,” said Prof. Osibanjo.
