Tension has gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis following the stabbing of an Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, shortly after he led the Friday Juma’at prayer at his mosque in the Mabera area of the city.
The cleric was reportedly attacked on Friday by a young man said to be among the worshippers at the mosque. The assailant allegedly stabbed Lukwa twice in the neck before other worshippers intervened and overpowered him.
The suspect was subsequently killed by followers of the cleric, according to the Sokoto State Police Command.
The incident sparked concern across parts of the metropolis, with security operatives deployed to strategic locations as authorities moved to prevent the situation from escalating into wider violence.
Attack Linked to Earlier Sermon
The attack was reportedly connected to a sermon previously delivered by the cleric, which some Islamic scholars and their followers considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.
The sermon had allegedly generated controversy and heightened tensions within sections of the Muslim community.
Following the controversy, a man identified as Mai Barewa was reportedly accused of threatening the cleric and one of his senior students.
Mai Barewa was subsequently arrested and arraigned before a court, with the matter said to still be ongoing.
The cleric and his followers were also reported to have submitted a written complaint to the Sokoto State Government four days before Friday’s attack. The complaint allegedly raised concerns about the threats against the cleric and members of his group.
The circumstances surrounding the earlier threats and the subsequent stabbing are expected to form part of the investigation by security authorities.
Police Confirm Attack
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed that the cleric was attacked and taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, for medical treatment.
Rufa’i said the cleric was responding to treatment.
“The cleric was stabbed and has been taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he is receiving treatment and responding to treatment,” the police spokesman said.
He also confirmed that the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers following the incident.
“The suspect was killed by the cleric’s followers, and no arrest has been made in connection with the ensuing violence,” he added.
The police spokesman said security measures had been put in place to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
He explained that an investigation was underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and determine the identities and roles of persons involved in the violence that followed.
Protests Heighten Tension
The stabbing and subsequent killing of the suspected attacker reportedly triggered protests by some youths in parts of Sokoto metropolis after news spread that the cleric had survived the attack.
The development heightened tension in several areas, including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi.
As the situation unfolded, several business owners reportedly shut their shops and commercial premises for fear that the unrest could spread and result in attacks or destruction of property.
Some residents were also seen leaving commercial areas as security personnel moved into strategic locations to maintain order and prevent further violence.
The increased security presence was aimed at containing the situation and ensuring that the incident did not trigger reprisal attacks or a wider breakdown of law and order.
Police Warn Against Reprisal
The police have urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Authorities warned against actions that could further inflame tensions or lead to additional loss of lives and destruction of property.
The appeal is particularly significant given the circumstances surrounding the incident, which reportedly involved allegations of religious offence, previous threats and the killing of the suspected attacker by members of the cleric’s following.
Security agencies are expected to continue monitoring developments across the affected areas while investigating the attack and the violence that followed.
The police are also expected to establish whether the stabbing was carried out by the suspect acting alone and whether there were other individuals connected to the incident.
Call for Restraint
The incident has renewed concerns about the potential for disputes involving religious sermons and perceived offences to escalate into violence.
While the police investigation is expected to determine the facts surrounding the attack, community leaders and residents have been urged to exercise restraint and allow the authorities and courts to handle allegations through established legal processes.
The survival of the cleric has provided some relief amid the tension, but the killing of the alleged attacker and the reported protests underline the need for heightened vigilance.
Authorities face the immediate task of preventing further violence while conducting a credible investigation into the stabbing, the earlier threats allegedly made against the cleric and the circumstances that led to the suspect being killed.
For residents of Sokoto metropolis, the priority remains the restoration of calm and the prevention of reprisal attacks. The police have therefore called on members of the public to remain peaceful, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
The authorities’ response in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the incident remains an isolated act of violence or develops into a broader security and communal challenge in Sokoto.
