The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has condemned attacks on churches and the looting of shops which occurred in Sokoto State on Saturday, urging Nigerians to take examples from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the current situation in Ethiopia.
Sunrise.ng reports that there have been tension in many parts of the country following the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, who was burnt alive.
Recall that pandemonium broke out in some parts of Sokoto State on Saturday following a protest by Muslim men who violently protested the arrest of the alleged killers of Deborah.
In a statement signed by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, late in the evening of Saturday, MURIC noted that the attacks were the handiwork of hoodlums and unscrupulous elements.
Akintola, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to desist from reprisal attacks on non-indigenes in other parts of the country.
The statement read in part, “The Sokoto imbroglio boiled over yesterday, Saturday, 14th May 2022, as hoodlums attacked a church and looted some shops.
“We strongly condemn the attacks. The fact that the Sultan’s palace was also targeted showed that the whole saga was the handiwork of unscrupulous elements. Muslim leaders knew nothing about it.
“We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians to desist from reprisal attacks on non-indigenes and places of worship in other parts of the country.
“We urge every Nigerian to shun violence of any sort. We will gain nothing by towing the path of mutual destruction. The cities of Ukraine lay in ruins. They serve as recent examples and living testimonies for all of us. Guns are still booming in Ethiopia. Peace continues to elude Southern Sudan.
“We commend the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, for quickly declaring a curfew in order to bring the situation under control.”